In the world of Indian table tennis, Abhinandh Pradhivadhi is quietly carving out a path marked by grit, fearlessness, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. At just 17, he’s not only India’s U-17 No. 1 and U-19 No. 2 but also a continental-level threat, fresh off a stunning European stint where he clinched gold in Berlin and silver in Havirov.
His most recent claim to fame? A fearless win over Olympian Izaac Quek in front of a roaring crowd at the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league.
In this conversation, Abhinandh speaks with striking honesty and calm clarity about his origins, mindset, and dreams—most notably his Olympic vision for 2028.
The Spark: From Tamil Nadu to the World Stage
Abhinandh’s story began in Chennai, where he picked up a paddle at age five. “I’ve been playing in the same academy since the beginning. My coach Subin Kumar, has been guiding me from my childhood days,” he shares. Like most journeys, his started with struggle. “I lost many matches early on,” he recalls. But a turning point came in 2016. “I was picked for a key tournament and did well. From there, I won the Tamil Nadu state title and gained confidence.”
That belief translated into dominance. He soon became the Cadet No. 1 in India, and despite briefly losing that top spot, he clinched the national title the same year. “That’s when I knew I could compete nationally—and then, internationally,” he says. His first big international moment came in 2021 when he reached the U-13 World No. 3 spot.
The European Swing: A Test of Grit
2024 saw Abhinandh break through on the international junior circuit in Europe. He won gold in Berlin in the U-17 category and followed it up with U-19 silver in Havirov. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
“My year began with a semifinal loss in U-17, and I knew I had to step up. So before Berlin and Czech Republic, I trained harder than ever,” he explains. “I adjusted to the hall conditions, focused on preparation, and it paid off. Berlin was my third WTT title. In Czech Republic, I beat some strong Chinese players in U-19 before narrowly losing in the final.”
Those performances not only pushed his international ranking up but also helped him build momentum toward his bigger ambitions. “My aim is to qualify for the World Championships and keep improving from there,” he says.
Managing Expectations, Chasing Excellence
With national rankings and international wins come growing expectations. But Abhinandh is unfazed.
“Yes, people expect a lot when you’re ranked No. 1,” he admits. “But I’ve learned that if I focus on those expectations, I can’t perform. My focus is always on training, getting better, and staying consistent.”
What drives him is not public validation, but a personal mission: “My ultimate goal is to win an Olympic gold medal,” he states. “Not just participate but win. That’s what keeps me going, even on the tough days.”
That clarity has been forged through adversity. “I wasn’t always this stable. In previous years, I struggled with inconsistency. But 2023 was different—I found a rhythm, and I want to carry that forward.”
The Match of a Lifetime: Beating Izaac Quek at UTT
The UTT league this season provided Abhinandh with a platform to prove himself against elite global talent. In his debut match, he was pitted against Singapore’s Izaac Quek, a world top-100 player and Olympian.
“I was nervous. It was my first match, and I knew he was better than me,” Abhinandh recalls. “But I had one thought in my mind, I wanted to challenge him. Two years ago, I had played him and lost. This time, I was better prepared.”
He started strong, winning the first two games. “I had a clear strategy from my coach and my mentor & coach, who guided me over the phone. I followed it to the letter,” he says. Though he dropped the third game narrowly, he had already made his mark becoming the youngest boy to win a UTT match.
U Mumba TT CEO Suhail Chandhok, was cheering wildly from the sidelines. “I could see him each time I looked. He’s so passionate about the sport. Even if we’re trailing, he’s there shouting encouragement. That’s motivating,” Abhinandh says, smiling.
Navigating Senior-Level Challenges
Abhinandh has not just excelled in junior ranks—he’s made waves at the senior level too. At the 86th Senior Nationals, he and his doubles partners stunned top-ranked senior players.
“The key difference is speed and power,” he explains. “In juniors, you can rely more on technique. But seniors demand quicker decisions, stronger shots. I’ve had to adapt.”
One way he’s done that is by building strong doubles partnerships with players like Ankur Bhattacharjee and Preyesh Suresh Raj. “Doubles is all about chemistry and trust,” he says. “You need to know your partner’s moves instinctively. Ankur and I have that sync, and Preyesh and I have grown up training together.”
The Long Road to 2028
Throughout the conversation, one theme comes up again and again: the 2028 Olympics.
Abhinandh doesn’t just see it as a dream he sees it as a target. “Even when I’m tired or demotivated, I remind myself of that goal. It’s what keeps me grinding every day,” he says. “I want to be there not just to participate but to win.”
And he’s aware that the road ahead is steep. “I’ll be up against the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans some of the best in the world. But I believe if I put in the right work, the right process, I can get there.”
It’s that mindset that separates potential from greatness.
A New Generation, A New Belief
What’s striking about Abhinandh isn’t just his skill it’s his attitude. There’s a mental shift happening in Indian sports, and he embodies it. “Earlier, Indian athletes would be happy just qualifying. Now we want to win,” he says.
This shift is mirrored by changes in support systems, exposure, and mindset. “UTT, international tours, academies, nutrition all of this is helping. We’re dreaming bigger.”
With the Asian Championships up next after UTT, Abhinandh’s calendar is packed. But he’s unbothered by the pressure. “It’s not about winning one event it’s about building a career. One step at a time.”
Final Serve
In a sport where margins are razor-thin and competition is global, Abhinandh Pradhivadhi is a name India will be hearing more of. With his feet firmly planted in Chennai’s training halls and his eyes locked on the Olympic podium, he’s not just playing matches he’s smashing through limits.
Keep an eye out this is only the beginning.
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