Friday, March 29, 2024
spot_img

Not planning to retire anytime soon: Paddler Sharath Kamal

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

TOKYO, July 28 :  India’s top table tennis player, 38-year-old Achanta Sharath Kamal has said that he will take a “lot of positives” from his defeat against China’s former world No. 1 and three-time world champion Ma Long in the third round at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Sharath Kamal put up a superb fight against the reigning Olympic champion, and even took a game off the Chinese before losing 1-4 in men’s singles, in a match where Ma Long was seen shaking his head in frustration at times.

Sharath Kamal, competing in his fourth Olympics, said on Tuesday that, “His legs were shaking. I could see him shake. And I was happy I could put him in that position.

“As far as this Olympics go, there are a lot of positives for me,” Sharath Kamal, who had reached the Round of 32 at the quadrennial showpiece for the first time, was quoted as saying by olympics.com.

“We were maybe a little unfortunate with the draw, running into the team that won the bronze in the first round of mixed doubles. And facing Long in the third round.”

Sharath Kamal said that the 4-11, 4-11 scores in the last two games in the match against Ma Long did not suggest the closeness of the contest.

“Against Long, I got myself into a good position. Even the fourth and fifth games were a lot closer than the score suggested. I think after winning the third game he just became a little more relaxed and started going for his shots.”

Sharath, who had made his Olympics debut at 2004 Athens, said he was not planning to hang up his boots.

“I never said this is going to be my last Olympics, it’s mainly the media that has been saying that. I don’t think I have to retire just because I am 38 years of age. This is the most physically fit I have been and it has undoubtedly been my best Olympics. When I look back, there nothing I could have done more or done differently. I have no regrets.”
IANS

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Ali, Richa open up on wedding docu ‘RiAlity’: ‘Life is stranger than fiction’

Shillong, March 29: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, opening up on their wedding documentary titled 'RiAlity’, said it...

Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk

Shillong, March 29: Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, on Friday, revealed that he started his career on the...

Chinese companies suspend work on Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha dams in Pakistan after suicide attack

Shillong, March 29: After Tarbela Dam, Chinese companies have also suspended civil work on the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha...

Manipur govt declines transportation arrangement for UPSC exams outside state, offers reimbursement

Shillong, March 29: The Manipur government has informed the Delhi High Court that it will not organise transportation...