Oh Jun-sung wins, Miwa Harimoto crowned at WTT Chennai 2025

Posted : 30 March 2025

Oh Jun-sung, an 18-year-old rising star, secured his first WTT Star Contender title after a thrilling seven-game battle against French prodigy Thibault Poret. The match, which took place at WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, was a display of skill, resilience, and determination. Meanwhile, in the Women's Singles category, 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024, triumphed over fellow Japanese player Honoka Hashimoto with a 4-2 victory, claiming her first title at this level.

Earlier in the tournament, Manav Thakkar made history by becoming the first Indian male to reach the semifinals of a WTT Star Contender event. His remarkable journey ended in the penultimate round, where he fell to Thibault Poret in a hard-fought 3-1 match. The Mixed Doubles competition saw South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin dominate their final, securing the title in straight games.

The prestigious event, hosted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, was organized by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) under the guidance of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). Featuring a prize pool of USD 275,000, the tournament also awarded 600 ranking points to the champions. With a packed audience cheering every point, the players delivered electrifying performances, particularly in the Women’s Singles final between Harimoto and Hashimoto.

In the opening games, both Japanese athletes matched each other’s pace, displaying impressive defensive skills and counterattacks. However, as the match progressed, the Expedite Rule came into effect, pushing the players to adopt a more aggressive strategy with a 13-shot limit. Harimoto adapted swiftly, utilizing her speed and tactical intelligence to overpower Hashimoto and clinch the title.

The Men’s Singles final provided another edge-of-the-seat encounter, with Oh Jun-sung and Thibault Poret engaging in a dramatic contest. The momentum swung back and forth as both players showcased exceptional shot-making and strategic play. Trailing 2-3, Oh staged a brilliant comeback, winning the final two games to seal his maiden WTT Star Contender title.

Despite falling short of the final, India’s Manav Thakkar made a significant impact on the tournament. His semifinal run earned him 210 WTT ranking points and a prize of USD 4,000, marking a milestone achievement in his career. Meanwhile, the Mixed Doubles champions, Lim and Shin, demonstrated their Olympic pedigree with a commanding 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 victory over Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Satsuki Odo.

WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, spanning six days of intense competition, featured 158 elite paddlers from around the world. The tournament delivered high-intensity matches and unforgettable moments, reinforcing its reputation as a premier event in the global table tennis calendar.

Oh Jun-sung wins, Miwa Harimoto crowned at WTT Chennai 2025

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