New Delhi: Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal admitted that the contrasting playing styles, he and Manika Batra possess, will put them in good stead at the Tokyo Olympics in the mixed doubles event. Sharath Kamal and Batra will team up for the country’s first-ever mixed doubles pair at Olympics.
“I think the Olympic Games are going to be very different. Understanding the rules during competition and before competition are all going to take a little bit of our mind,” Sharath Kamal, who will be competing in his fourth Olympics, was quoted as saying to NDTV.
Sharath Kamal and Batra’s first major success came in the 2018 Asian Games when they bagged bronze in Jakarta. “We won bronze in both men’s and mixed doubles for the first time in 62 years at the Asian games. That gave us the right kind of motivation,” the 38-year-old Sharath Kamal continued.
“I think the strengths we both have is the ability to raise our games under pressure, which Manika in singles and doubles has as her specialty, and I am able to do it over a period of time,” he added. The nine-time national champion is also banking on the contrasting abilities they both have to fox any opponent.
11 DAYS TO GO 🏓@sharathkamal1 @manikabatra_TT @sathiyantt @sutirthamukher4 #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 #TableTennis pic.twitter.com/34DyWjl3F8
— Table Tennis Federation of India (@ttfitweet) July 12, 2021
“The style of play we have is because we are both tall and have a little bit of physicality and coordination in moving around. Our advantage is that she is able to slow the game to the lowest speeds and from there I can increase my power since I play a power game,” he added.
“The contrast in the speeds and the ability to slow it down and increase is what our strength is, and I hope we can get to any opponent into that kind of rhythm. We hope with a good draw at the Olympics, we will be able to realise our own dreams of getting the gold medal.”
The Indian duo qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after beating World No.5 Korean pair Jeon Ji-hee and Lee Sang-Su at the Asian Qualifiers in Doha in March. They also qualified for their respective singles events at the same tournament along with compatriots G Sathiyan and Sutirtha Mukherjee.
“It will be a change, but we played together in qualifications and defeated the Korean players and played amazingly. I personally feel when we give our best, I can support Sharath bhaiya, and I am going to try whatever I can in Tokyo, and I am excited for this,” Batra said of the challenge awaiting the Indians.
“I have been trying to adjust to Japan time, waking up at 5:30 am and training in the mornings. I will not put pressure on myself, but I know I can beat good players and surprise myself over there,” added Batra. The Indian team will have to undergo a three-day isolation period before they can access the venues.
A wonderful feeling to have completed the final training camp before leaving for @Tokyo2020. The support, encouragement and motivation given by the team will keep the spirits high. Thank you @ttfitweet @IndiaSports @Media_SAI. 13 days to go for #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/LgcxTJlptj
— Sharath Kamal OLY (@sharathkamal1) July 10, 2021
Dubbed as Virat Kohli of Indian table tennis, Sathiyan is confident about his chances at Tokyo and stated Indians starting in the Round of 48 will be of great advantage. “This is the first time two Indians will be starting directly in the round of 48, that’s really high and an advantage to start that high,” Sathiyan, who will make his Olympics debut, said.
“I am also in form, having beaten higher-ranked players and those kinds of wins before the pandemic has given me a lot of confidence. It might be my first Olympics, but I have played a lot of international events which has given me the exposure to take on the big guns.
“My goal is to reach the quarterfinals, and from there on you enter the prime zone. For me, it’s about beating top opponents, take out two big names, and from there the path opens up and you can enjoy playing the game,” Sathiyan added.
