 "India stun Paris Olympics bronze medallists South Korea to reach semi-finals of Asian Table Tennis Championships, medal assured")
The Indian women’s table tennis team was on Tuesday assured of a first-ever medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships after they stunned Paris Olympics bronze medallists South Korea 3-2 to reach the semi-finals in Kazakhstan’s Astana. India will take on Japan in the semi-finals on Wednesday after the Japanese beat Singapore 3-0 in another quarter-final clash.
Ayhika Mukherjee was the star of India’s victory over South Korea. The World No 92 defeated World No 8 Shin Yu-bin in the opening match with an 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7 scoreline.
HISTORY MADE! 🇮🇳🔥
— Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) October 8, 2024
The first women’s team medal has been secured at the Asian Championships in Astana, stunning the Olympic bronze medalist South Korea.#UTT4India #UTT #UltimateTableTennis #TableTennis #IndianOilUTT pic.twitter.com/lXw3ipL9qc
Ayhika’s win over Shin and Manika Batra’s victory over Jeon earlier in the tie handed India a 2-0 lead. However, the South Koreans scripted a fightback in the tie. Sreeja Akula lost 0-3 to Lee Eunhye, whereas Manika Batra lost 2-3 to Shin Yu-bin in the reverse singles fixture.
It all came down to Ayhika’s match against Jeon Ji-hee in the final contest of the tie. Ayhika won the contest 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 12-10.
As per the tournament rules, both the losing semi-finalists get at least a bronze medal but India will be looking to aim for a gold medal in Astana.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe same South Korean women’s team had won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August after they defeated Germany 3-0 in the playoff match. The India women’s team, on the other hand, had been knocked out in the quarter-finals following a 1-3 loss to Germany.
Full list of matches and results:
Match 1: Ayhika Mukherjee beat Shin Yu-bin 3-2
Match 2: Manik Batra beat Jeon Ji-hee 2-0
Match 3: Lee Eun-Hye beat Sreeja Akula 3-0
Match 4: Shin Yu-bin beat Manika Batra 3-2
Match 5: Ayhika Mukherjee beat Jeon Ji-hee 3-1
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
