The Indian men’s table tennis team reserved its Champions Division berth in the next edition despite losing 3-1 to Japan in the quarterfinals of the 24th ITTF-Asian championships here on Monday. This became possible when it defeated Singapore 3-0 on Tuesday for 5-8 positions.
India will take on Hong Kong for fifth spot on Wednesday. The top six finishers gain direct entry in the next championships in 2021.
“This is an achievement in itself,” said Sharath Kamal, who played an important role in the victory over Singapore. This was despite the exhaustion which forced him to withdraw midway against Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto in the quarterfinals.
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In the first match against Singapore, Sathiyan defeated Poh Shao Feng Ethan 11-5, 11-5, 13-11 before downing Pang Yew En Koen 7-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3. A. Amalraj made it 3-0 with a 7-11, 11-7, 15-13, 11-9 victory over Chua Josh Shao Han.
Indian women finished ninth, defeating Malaysia 3-0.