“ I did my part as a player ” – Firstpost

Chennai: The career in the table tennis player Ace Sharath Kamal ended emotional after succumbing to the compatriot Snehit Suravajjula in the pre-quarters of the WTT Star Contender tournament here on Saturday.

Sharath showed a certain fight, but the Joker Suravajjula prevailed in three consecutive sets-11-9, 11-8, 11-9.

Sharath then played an exhibition match against the Omar Assar of Egypt to give another preview of the exceptional skills to the spectators.

“Somewhere on the line, I felt that it was enough and I wanted to explore the possibility of restoring sport on the other side of the court,” said Sharath in his farewell speech.

The 42 -year -old said he wanted to participate in an administrative role.

“I did my part as a player, I felt that I had contributed enough to the country as a player, and I want to contribute as an administrator or coach, mentor, or even as a senior player,” he added.

Thakkar in the semi-finals

Earlier, Manav Thakkar, 24 years old, engraved his name in history books by becoming the first Indian male player to reach a semi-final of the WTT Star Contender.

Manav won the victory in successive thrillers of five games on Andre Bertelsmeier of Germany and Lim Jong-Hoon of South Korea, Olympic medalist, to reach the semi-finals.

Manav defeated Bertelsmeier 10-12, 12-10, 15-13, 6-11, 11-5, then defeated Jong-Hoon 5-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 11-1.

However, Snehit’s sensational race ended with a defeat against Thibault Pore de France after his victory over Sharath.

Poret won 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6.

In an electrifying force test to close the day, Lim Jong-Hoon of South Korea and a Jae-Hyun went to the male double crown, beating the heads of Tomokazu Harimoto and Sora Matsushima-11-4, 11-13, 11-3.

In the final of the female double, Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara of Japan fought before Shin Yu-Bin and Ryu Hanna-9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 12-14, 11-5.