Indian paddlers create history, enter semis of Asian TT C'ship

The entry in the last-four stage has not only assured the four-member Indian team a bronze medal but also a straight entry into the World Junior Championships to be held in Slovakia in December this year.

The junior team outclassed DPR Korea 3-1 in the quarter-finals and will now take on the mighty China in the semis.Indian paddlers had earlier trounced Iran (3-0), Kazakhstan (3-0) and Sri Lanka (3-0) on their way to the last-eight stage.

In the first encounter of the day, G Sathyan lost to Kim-Jo Hyok 7-11 9-11 8-11.
S Ghosh defeated Choil Il 12-10 11-8 6-11 12-10 to draw parity. Later, Harmit Desai consolidated the position humbling Kim Hyok Ju 11-7 4-11 11-8 11-7.

G Sathyan downed Choil Il 11-5 11-8 11-7 in his reverse singles to give India an unassailable lead.

"The Indians put up a grand show against the Koreans whom we have beaten for the first time," Team coach Sunil Babras said.

"Though the Chinese will be difficult to beat on, the win against North Korean has given the boys a lot of confidence," Babras added.