The recent successes of senior pro and Commonwealth Games defending champion Sharath Kamal has rubbed on the Junior Team Members who have entered the semi-finals of the Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
By doing so, the four-member Indian team has assured itself of a medal—the first in the Indian Table Tennis history. Their entry into the semi-finals has not only assured them a bronze medal but also a straight entry into the World Junior Championships to be held in Slovakia in December.
The junior paddlers defeated DPR Korea 3-1 in the quarter-finals and they will take on the might of China. The Indian had earlier beaten Iran (3-0), Kazakhstan (3-0) and Sri Lanka (3-0) to enter the quarterfinals.
Though 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 bring India on part. Later it was left to Harmit Desai to consolidate the position against Kim Hyok Ju 11-7,4-11,11-8,11-7 before G.Sathyan downd Choil Il 11-5,11-8,11-7 in his reverse singles to take India to the semi-finals.
