Indian paddlers are gearing up for next month’s China Open and Olympian Achanta Sharath Kamal feels the exposure trip will hold them in good stead in this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
“Training in China is always a good experience. It helps the players a lot. In China we get the opportunity to play against a number of quality players, which improve our skills,” Sharath told PTI .
“We have trained in China on three occasions in the last few months and that will certainly help us in the Commonwealth Games. The trips will also help us in the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China in November,” he added.
The Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi from October 3-14 after, which the focus will shift to the 16th Asian Games scheduled for November 12-27 in Guangzhou, China.
And keeping the two sporting mega events in mind, the Indian paddlers will first participate in the China Open starting on August 12 after, which they will undergo a month-long training programme in Zhending.
Sharath also said his performance has improved a lot after undergoing trainings in China.
“My performance also improved a lot in the recent past. For example, the training seasons have improved my speed and that have played important role in my recent success,” said the CWG defending champion.
Of late, the lanky paddler has been in stupendous form.
He first won the US Open title at Michigan earlier this month before creating history by becoming the first Indian to win an ITTF Pro Tour singles title when he clinched the Egypt Open in Cairo.
