Achanta Sharath Kamal aims for double Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Table Tennis maestro Achanta Sharath Kamal has set his sights on a double Gold medal triumph at the upcoming 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia. Kamal added that the present squad is easily the strongest to represent India at the International stage off late.
Kamal may be on the wrong side of his 30s, but the Tamil Nadu born Table Tennis player is far from done as far as the game was concerned. Kamal managed to clinch Gold at the 2006 CWG in Melbourne as he defeated local favorite Australian William Henzell in the final and he went on to help the Indian Table Tennis team defeat Singapore to seal a double Gold triumph in Melbourne.
After a disappointing outing in the 2014 CWG that was held in Glasgow, Kamal hopes to repeat the performance of the 2006 CWG in the upcoming tournament in Gold Coast.
"I feel we have a good chance in all four categories (singles, team, doubles and mixed doubles). It is easily the strongest men's squad we have fielded at the Commonwealth Games," Sharath told PTI.
"The ranking system has changed completely and the more you play, the better it is. That is one of the reasons why six of us are in the top-100. Having said that, the boys are doing really well and we really have a strong squad."
Sharath has managed to stay in the top-100 rankings for the last decade but was way behind in the rankings when he played in the 2006 CWG. India number two, Soumyadeep Roy was outside top-200 rankings back then as well.
Sharath added that India has indeed come a long way as far as rankings are concerned but there’s still a lot of work left to do in terms of winning medals. India’s rivals England and Nigeria, who performed better at the 2014 edition of the tournament have improved as well and will pose a threat at the upcoming games for sure.
"CWG is the only major multi-sporting event where we are expected to win medals. So considering that, the Glasgow performance was a huge disappointment. Because of
The Massimo Costantini-led Indian Table Tennis squad prepared for the CWG in Europe this time around and will be back home on Sunday. They will hope to beat Singapore who
"The preparations have been good since September. I was happy to win the nationals (a record 8th trophy), it gave me the momentum I needed. Things I have been working on, both physically and mentally, have come along finally," Sharath added.
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