The Hindu : Sport / Table Tennis : Sharath keen to break into the top 50 by this year

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Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007
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Sharath keen to break into the top 50 by this year

Sports Reporter

I am happy with my performance, says the champion

CHENNAI: Madrid has become his second home for all practical reasons for the last five months.

Playing the super division for his club San Sebastian there, paddler Sharath Kamal has impressed one and all with his performance.

Since winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March last, it has been hectic for him.

Spectacular rise

Sharath's rise at the international level has been spectacular. From an obscure rank of 150 in early 2006, he moved ahead quickly — beating higher-ranked opponents.

He is the only Indian to be ranked inside the top-100 (86).

Future plans

Sharath spoke about his future plans in a press conference at the Andhra Social and Cultural Association. "I am happy with my performance. I wanted to be in the top 100 by December 2006. But that didn't happen," he said.

He achieved it in New Delhi last month. His fine run in the ITTF Pro-Tour, where he overcame Yang Zi (ranked 34th) only to lose to Singapore's Gao Ning in the final, pushed him to the top 100.

"From here," said Sharath, "my aim is to get into the top 50 in the world by this year."

His nine-month contract with San Sebastian will end in May 2007.

"I have extended the contract by one more year as they were happy with my performance," said Sharath.

He will play in the Nationals at Ajmer and the World championship at Zagreb that begins on June 21. He also has plans of competing in six to eight Pro-Tour events this year.

G. Jagannath, former National table tennis champion, praised Sharath's consistency. "I'm confident the day is not far off when he'll enter the top eight in the world."

Later, the Andhra Club felicitated Sharath. Sharath's coaches Srinivasa Rao and Muralidhara Rao were also present.

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