Indian Men’s Team Bag Bronze, 1st Table Tennis Medal at Asiad
India lost to South Korea in the semi-final to bring home a bronze in the men’s table tennis team event.
The Indian men’s table tennis team lost their semi-final 0-3 to South Korea on Tuesday, 28 August, but shouldn’t be too disappointed with their performance at this Asian Games.
The team comprising G Sathiyan, Achanta Sharath Kamal and A Amalraj are bring home India’s first Asian Games medal in table tennis.
India couldn't put up a fight against the mighty Koreans, who set up a summit clash against defending champions China in a repeat of 2014 edition.
Rising star G Sathiyan, ranked 39, suffered a 11-9 9-11 3-11 3-11 loss to Lee Sangsu in the opening game as India lagged 0-1.
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Experienced Sharath Kamal, word No 33, was then entrusted with the responsibility to bring India back in the game and he did put up a fight before going down 9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11 to Young Sik Jeoung in the second match as South Korea lead the tie 2-0.
In the deciding third game, Amalraj was beaten 5-11 7-11 11-4 7-11 by 22-year-old Woojin Jang as South Korea clinched the tie 3-0.
India had on 27 August, defeated fancied Japan 3-1 in the quarterfinals to assure the country its first-ever Asian Games medal in table tennis.
India did not have a single medal in the sport which was introduced in the Games program in 1958. The likes of China (61 gold), Japan (20) and South Korea (10) swept the medals for long time.
(With inputs from PTI)
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