'Table Tennis medal in Asian Games is equivalent to Olympics': TTFI secretary Kamlesh Mehta ecstatic on India's Bronze | Exclusive

India's table tennis campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya has produced a significant medal, with Manush Shah and Diya Chitale securing bronze in mixed doubles, India's only table tennis medal of the Games in this edition.

The pair produced one of India's standout performances by defeating Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem 3-1 in the quarter-finals. The victory was particularly impressive given the experience and pedigree of their opponents. India's challenge ended in the semi-finals, where the Chinese combination of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha won 4-0, leaving Manush and Diya with bronze.

India's campaign had encouraging moments in the team events as well. The women's team topped Group F after wins over Indonesia, Singapore and Pakistan before advancing to the knockout stage. The men opened with a 3-0 victory over Indonesia but suffered a 0-3 defeat against Iran.

In singles, Manush Shah advanced to the pre-quarterfinals after a 4-0 victory over Iran's Benyamin Faraji, while Yashaswini Ghorpade also reached the pre-quarterfinals in the women's singles. Sreeja Akula and Manav Thakkar were eliminated in the second round.

The doubles events proved tougher, with all three Indian pairs exiting in the third round or Round of 16. Despite those setbacks, the Manush-Diya bronze gives Indian table tennis another Asian Games medal and adds to the country's growing record in the sport.

Asian Games medal equivalent to Olympics

MyKhel caught up with Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) secretary Kamlesh Mehta, who heaps his praises on the young paddlers.

"Very happy with the way we performed. A lot of positives for us, especially the way our two main players Manush [Shah] and Diya [Chitale] got a medal. It is never easy to get a medal in the Asian Games given the quality China, Korea or Japan possess, but it was a great show by the entire team. Table Tennis medal in Asian Games is equivalent to Olympics," Mehta told MyKhel in an exclusive chat.

The TTFI official also pointed out two young Indian table tennis starlets Yashaswini Ghorpade and Syndrela Das - who put their mark in the competition as well. Ghorpade was also the last of the Indian paddlers surviving in the individual category, before her campaign eventually ended on Saturday.

"Syndrela and Yashaswini are our future. We have got two excellent players, on whom we can rely in coming years. Syndrela is our youngest superstar and Yashaswini was immense. The way Yashaswini led the Indian team and gave us crucial wins is truly commendable. They both have a bright future ahead."