Bhubaneswar: India’s hopes of redemption were dashed again today at the Kalinga Stadium Athletics Centre. After the men’s debacle, all eyes turned to the women to restore national pride at the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Team Championships. But instead of a resurgence, another story of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential emerged. The fourth-seeded Indian women, who were expected to maintain their growing stature, fell short against qualifiers Singapore – a team they should have beaten – and showed the same old weaknesses: inconsistency, nervousness and an inability to finish crucial moments.
Manika Batra, still India’s brightest name, seemed out of rhythm and unable to find answers against a defensive opponent ranked over a hundred places below her. Diya Chitale missed out on a winning position and her 2-1 lead evaporated under pressure. Even Yashaswini Ghorpade’s spirited win couldn’t change the momentum. In the end, Singapore held its nerve where India couldn’t – and secured a 3-2 win that was louder than the rankings ever could.
It wasn’t just a defeat for India. It was another reminder that talent without poise continues to cost them – and that the promise of Indian women’s table tennis remains just that: promise, not performance.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Chinese made short work of Thailand, winning 3-0 in less than an hour. Wang Manyu, Sun Yingsha and Kuai Man took no liberties and only needed nine games to round out the game against Orawan Paranang, Sawettabut sisters, Suthasini and Jinnipa.
The men’s quarterfinal began with an unexpected twist as 15-year-old Benyamin Faraji of Iran stunned world No. 2 Lin Shidong of China, defeating him 3-2 in the first round. The teenager, who previously shocked world number one Wang Chuqin at the Asian Championships in Astana, was in great form – so much so that even Lin could have admired his performance. In the two games played, the world number 137 took a 2-1 lead. Lin fought back to level the score, but in a thrilling decider, Faraji held his nerve and finished the game 11-9, drawing excitement from the crowd and his teammates.
Next, Noshad Alamiyan pushed world No. 7 Liang Jingkun to the brink. Having already beaten Liang twice, the Iranian world number 82 appeared primed for another upset but lost focus at crucial moments, distracted by his own theatrics. Liang capitalized on this, recovering from a 5-9 deficit and saving a match point before securing victory with his second chance.
In the third round, Hossein Hodaei hardly posed a challenge to Wang Chuqin, who easily defeated him 3-0. Lin then returned to the table to complete the task by defeating Noshad in consecutive games and securing victory for China.
Chinese Taipei’s men emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 win over Korea DPR after a hard-fought 23-match series, reflecting the intense competition between the two nations. The game started strongly for Taipei as Liao Cheng-Ting secured the first point, defeating Ri Jong Sik in straight games (11-3, 15-13, 12-10). However, Kuo Guan-Hong was edged out by Ham Yu Song in a close five-game clash, and Lin Yen-Chung also fell after a thrilling five-game clash with Chon Jong Bom, giving Korea DPR a brief lead.
Undeterred, the men from Taipei fought back with determination. Kuo evened the score by defeating Ri Jong in three straight games (11-7, 11-8, 12-10), setting the stage for a thrilling finale. In the decisive encounter, Liao was once again masterful, defeating Ham Yu Song in another five-game duel to secure the overall victory for his team.
The results (quarterfinals):
Men: China vs. Iran 3-1 (Lin Shidong lost to Benyamin Faraji 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-4, 9-11; Liang Jigkun vs. Noshad Alamiyan 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 13-11; Wang Chuqin vs. Air Hossein Hodaei 11-8, 11-8, 11-4; Lin Shidong bt Noshad Alamiyan 11-8, 11-9, 11-3); Chinese Taipei vs DPR Korea 3:2 (Liao Cheng-Ting vs RI Jong Sik 11-3, 15-13, 12-10, Kuo Guan-Hong lost to Ham Yu Song 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 9-11; Lin Yen-Chung lost to Chon Jong Bom 4-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-4, 16-18; Jong Sik 11-7, 11-8, 12-10; Liao Cheng-Ting bt Ham Yu Song 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 3-11, 11-3).
Women: Singapore vs India 3-2 (Tan Zhao Yun vs Manika Batra 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8; Zeng Jian vs Diya Chitale 3-11, 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9; Ser Lin Qian lost to Yashaswini Ghorpade 7-11, 8-11, 8-11; Zeng Jian lost to Manika Batra 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12; Tan Zhao Yun bt Diya Chitale 11-6, 11-5, 11-4).
Chikwaksa 3-0 years 10-16-16, 16-16,
