Manika, Sharath, Sathiyan and Sutirtha Qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2021

India’s top-seeded table tennis player Sharath Kamal along with Manika Batra, Sutirtha Mukherjee and Sathiyan booked their berth for Tokyo Olympics.

Currently, the Asian Olympic qualification event is being scheduled in Doha. Sathiyan and Sutirtha qualified for Tokyo Olympics as group toppers while Sharath and Manika sealed their ticket by being the highest-ranked second-placed players in their respective categories.

It will be the maiden Olympics for Sathiyan and Sutirtha while second for Manika and fourth for Sharath Kamal. 

Sharath Kamal Qualifies for his fourth Olympic run

India’s top seed Sharath qualified for Olympics with a convincing win over Pakistan’s Rameez Muhammad who is 690th ranked in the world. It was a must-win game for Sharath as he had lost the first match against fellow Indian Sathiyan. For Sharath, it was a smooth game as he managed to beat his opponent in mere 23 minutes. Sharath defeated Rameez 11-4, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4. Sharath Kamal made it to the Tokyo Olympics due to superior rankings.

#TOPSAthlete @sathiyantt has qualified for #Tokyo2020 in men’s singles table tennis after topping the South Asia Round Robin group at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. @sharathkamal1 and @manikabatra_TT have also qualified on basis of ranking. #JeetengeOlympics #GemsofSAI pic.twitter.com/mD1mMQoJe6

— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) March 18, 2021

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Beats Rameez To Book Olympic Spot

After beating Sharath Kamal in an earlier match, the qualification match against Rameez was a mere formality. Wasting no time, the Indian paddler made easy work and won the match (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-2). Sathiyan qualified for the Tokyo Olympics on the basis of topping the South Asian pool at the Asian Olympic Qualification. 

Sutirtha Mukherjee books maiden Olympics berth

Sutirtha Mukherjee, who was once banned by the Table Tennis Federation of India for fudging with her age records, now has made India proud. The Bengal girl defeated the national champion Manika Batra and sealed the spot for herself for the Olympics. She topped the group table and this will be the first Olympics for Sutirtha Mukherjee. 

Many congratulations to #SutirthaMukherjee for qualifying for #Tokyo2020 in women’s singles table tennis after her win in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. #JeetengeOlympics #GemsofSAI pic.twitter.com/XeUODs5tQ3

— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) March 18, 2021

Manika Batra manages to qualify on superior ranking

Even though the national champion Manika suffered a loss from fellow India Sutirtha, the Indian ace paddler managed to qualify for Tokyo Olympics on the basis of superior ranking. 

The focus will now shift to mixed doubles where Sharath and Manika pair have reached the semi-finals. The pair will look to overcome the opposition and make a cut for Tokyo Olympics in mixed doubles as well.