Sharath Kamal postpones retirement, commits to another professional season
Indian table tennis legend, Achanta Sharath Kamal, has decided to postpone his retirement plans following his fifth Olympic appearance. The 42-year-old athlete has confirmed his commitment to another campaign on the professional tour. He was recently appointed as the captain of India's men's team for the upcoming Asian Championships in Astana next month.
Kamal to compete in China Smash and Asian Championships
Kamal, who was India's flag-bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, announced plans to compete in the China Smash later this month After which, the prolific veteran paddler will travel to Kazakhstan for the Asian Championships, which begin on October 7. Currently ranked 37th in the world, Kamal is also aiming to make his presence felt in the 2025 World Championships in Doha.
Kamal's future plans and potential roles
Kamal shared his plans with PTI, stating, "For the next nine months to one year I would still be an active player. But at the same time, I will be exploring options in IOC and ITTF." He expressed his intention to collaborate with TTFI to build a structure that bridges the gap between SAI and TTFI, while also attracting more corporate sponsorships for the sport.
Kamal's achievements and future aspirations
Kamal is the first Indian elected to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) athletes' commission. He also serves on the athletes' body within the Indian Olympic Association. Looking ahead, he aims to join the athletes' commission of the International Olympic Committee. Although he has ruled out participating in the 2028 Olympics, he is still considering competing in the 2026 Asian Games.
Kamal's performance at Paris Olympics and future plans
Despite not having an ideal run at the Paris Olympics, Kamal remains optimistic about his future in table tennis. He exited early from individual events and India's team championship debut ended with a defeat against China in pre-quarterfinals. On his future plans, Kamal stated, "I would like to take a call on the Asian Games next year." He added that he is currently focused on the ongoing Ultimate Table Tennis League.
Sharath Kamal's table tennis career
Sharath is arguably the greatest Indian table tennis player of all time. The 42-year-old paddler has won a record seven Commonwealth Games gold medals. He has two Asian Games medals to his name and owns five appearances at the Olympics. Sharath also has two ITTF Pro Tour titles under his belt. He is also the recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, and the Khel Ratna in 2022.
