Time to offer my racket and bandana a relaxation: TT stalwart Sharath Kamal pronounces retirement
Sharath’s contribution to the sport goes past the staggering numbers, together with seven gold medals on the Commonwealth Gamestwo path-breaking bronze medals on the Asian Video games and 5 appearances on the Summer time Olympics.
Paris final yr was simply the spotlight for him as an Olympian, having acquired the honour of carrying India’s flag on the opening ceremony.
The outcomes didn’t go his means within the French capital however contemplating his health and rating (he stays India’s highest ranked participant at no. 42), Sharath determined to hold on for an additional season and take it from there.
One other Commonwealth Video games and Asian Video games are on the horizon however Sharath has had sufficient.
“Not saying I’m letting it go utterly, however that is actually the tip for us on the massive tables, in entrance of the massive crowds. Time to offer my bandana and racket some relaxation,” he mentioned. “Grateful past phrases for all the enjoyment, for all of the love, for all of the ache, for all the teachings, and for all of the individuals this sport has given me.” For the higher of the previous twenty years, Sharath impressed the youthful era to take up the game earlier than Manika Batra emerged to share that duty.
Sharath not solely lifted the profile of the game, he introduced the arrival of Indian desk tennis on the worldwide stage and made his presence felt towards the all-conquering Chinese language and different Asian giants together with Japan and South Korea.
His booming forehand made his opponents nervous and over time, he continued to evolve and developed an equally deadly backhand.
Kamlesh Mehta, an Arjuna awardee and one other superb participant to have come out of India, listed out the rationale for Sharath’s longevity within the sport.
“The sport has modified a lot within the final 20 years. When he began, he was not doing the backhand banana flick. He needed to be taught that banana flick and strengthen his backhand.
“He was in a position to make these modifications, be taught new issues and put it in his sport. That is the rationale he might maintain himself for thus lengthy,” Mehta informed PTI.
As any elite athlete, Sharath had his share of ups and downs. The hip and hamstring harm he suffered in the course of the 2015 World Championships was a significant setback in his profession.
“Many individuals had written him off after that harm however he got here again stronger,” recalled Mehta.
A few of Indian desk tennis’ greatest outcomes coincided with the twilight of Sharath’s profession.
With Sharath now having the help of a formidable bench power, India had been in a position to stun Japan for a bronze medal on the 2018 Asian Video games. Fellow Chennai resident G Sathiyan was the architect of that well-known win.
One other unthinkable occurred when he and Manika teamed as much as land a historic combined doubles bronze in Jakarta. Even Sharath didn’t see it approaching the extremely aggressive continental stage.
There was no stopping him as he entered his 40s, bullish about his returns at what was going to be his closing look on the Commonwealth Video games.
Forward of the 2022 version in Birmingham, he needed to work doubly laborious to keep up his health as his battered and bruised physique was not responding to the zeal of a teen. With an unprecedented three gold medals, he surpassed his personal expectations.
“Even the gamers ask me how I’m able to add a brand new stroke each time I play them. I haven’t got a correct reply to that, I can solely say it’s not straightforward.
“What I’ve been in a position to do at 40 is unbelievable in a really constructive means. How am I in a position to nonetheless play like this?” Sharath had puzzled after the bull run in Birmingham 2022.
Three years later, he stays a potent power on the professional circuit and want to say goodbye to aggressive desk tennis on a excessive later this month.
Sharath additionally has a smart head on his shoulders as he deliberate his retirement effectively prematurely. He’s the primary Indian to be elected into the Worldwide Desk Tennis Federation (ITTF) athletes’ fee.
He’s additionally a part of the athletes’ physique within the Indian Olympic Affiliation (IOA) and in future, he’s aiming for a seat on the athletes’ fee of the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
Other than that, he sees himself as an administrator on the Desk Tennis Federation of India, guaranteeing his presence across the sport. Nevertheless, the large void he leaves on courtroom could by no means be stuffed.
