Asian Games 2023: Proper training, belief and strong bond helped Sutirtha and Ayhika Mukherjee create history

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There was quiet optimism among India's table tennis contingent ahead of Asian Games 2023 considering their last Asiad performance and the fact that the men's team had clinched bronze at the Asian Championships earlier this year.

The men's team and mixed doubles once again represented the best chance at claiming historic medals but that was not to be the case this time around as India fell just short.

Just when all hope seemed lost, up stepped the unlikely pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee as the duo clinched a historic bronze at the Asian Games 2023. On Saturday, they beat the doubles World No. 2 and second seeds Cheng Meng and Wang Yidi 11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9 to make the semifinals and assure the country of a first-ever bronze in women's doubles.

Just to put that achievement into perspective, Meng is the reigning Olympic singles champion and she also possesses 12 World Championship medals. Yidi has three and the pair also won gold at this year's World Championships in Durban.

It is unimaginable to beat China in table tennis and to do that in some style in China amid roaring support for the home paddlers is an achievement to savour. Their coach Soumyadeep Roy, who is a former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and Arjuna awardee, feels this is his career highlight.

"Indian paddlers have always feared the prospect of facing a Chinese player at any stage of a competition, such is the aura surrounding their stars," Roy told myKhel. "Fierce support at home makes it an even more difficult proposition.

"It took a lot of bravery, mental strength, and the right preparation to overcome the Chinese pair to make history. This is the proudest I have ever felt, even more, when I won CWG gold back during my playing days."

Both Mukherjees belong from Naihati, a small town around two hours from Kolkata. They have been training together at Roy's table tennis academy -- Dhanuka Dhunseri Soumyadeep Poulomi table tennis academy. And the bond they share have helped both elevate their game just when it mattered.

"We have been training for almost one year now, exclusively focussed on doubles. The requirements and strategy required to win is vastly different as compared to singles. We have got decent results like a gold at Tunis (World Table Tennis Contender event) and now this.

"The bonding they share helps as they keep egging each other on and motivating when the chips are down. That cannot be taught and that is a huge bonus. Against the Chinese, they never lost hope even under duress. That speaks volumes of their training and belief they share."

It is even more special for Roy and Sutirtha, both of whom suffered dark days during the Tokyo Olympics after allegations of match-fixing from Manika Batra. But the coach refused to be drawn into such talks.

"The past is past. We have moved on only via hard work. Sutirtha and Ayhika have paved the way for a glorious future. We have proved that beating China in China is possible and now for bigger goals. This is just the start. We need to train harder and not lose focus," a determined Roy added.

The pair could not go further on Monday and despite a solid performance, lost to the North Korean pair of Cha Suyong and Pak Sugyong 3-4 (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 2-11) to settle for bronze at the Asian Games 2023.