Bhubaneswar, Oct 11: The 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Team Table Tennis Championships served off in style as group stage contests went on expected lines here on Saturday.
While top-seeded teams, including hosts India, enjoyed an opening-day rest, the inaugural sessions offered fans a taste of the energy and emotion that define Asia’s premier continental event.
Lesser-known contingents displayed flashes of skill and tenacity, earning applause from an eager Bhubaneswar crowd ready to soak in the continent’s finest table tennis action.
In the men’s section, Kazakhstan, in Group A, rested their top paddler Kirill Gerassimenko and still proved too strong for Kyrgyzstan.
Sri Lanka began their campaign on a winning note, comfortably overcoming Kyrgyzstan despite an early setback.
Meanwhile, the Maldives managed to take a game off Mongolia in Group 2 but ultimately lost 1-3. (PTI)
