India’s junior table tennis contingent delivered a strong start at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships 2025, currently underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with both the Under-19 Boys and Girls teams qualifying for the main draw after their respective group-stage matches.
While the girls had to grind out two narrow victories in tightly contested encounters against North Korea and hosts Uzbekistan, the boys marched through their group in commanding fashion with back-to-back clean sweeps.
Girls Show Nerves of Steel in Group 4
The Indian U-19 Girls Team featuring Suhana Saini, Syndrela Das, Taneesha Kotecha, and M. Hansini—displayed impressive mental fortitude, overcoming two tense group-stage clashes to top Group 4 with two 3-2 wins.
Against North Korea, Suhana opened the proceedings but was pushed to the brink before rallying from two games down to beat Gyong Young Kye in five. The match swung back and forth: Syndrela lost to Rim Hong Jo, Taneesha reclaimed the lead, Rim equalised again by defeating Suhana, and finally, Syndrela delivered under pressure winning the deciding match in straight games.
The second clash against Uzbekistan followed a similar pattern. After falling behind 0-1, India bounced back through Suhana and Hansini to take a 2-1 lead. However, Asel Erkebaeva levelled the tie again with a five-game win over Suhana. In the final match, Taneesha rose to the occasion, defeating Sogdiana Ibodullaeva in straight games to send India through to the knockout round as group winners.
Boys Dominate in Group 1
The Under-19 Boys Team, consisting of P.B. Abhinand, Ankur Bhattacharjee, and Priyanuj Bhattacharyya, was clinical in its performances, defeating both Saudi Arabia and Nepal 3-0.
The Indian boys gave no chance to their opponents only occasionally dropping a game across the two ties. Abhinand, in particular, stood out with strong performances, including a composed recovery against Himal Bista of Nepal in the third game.
Their efficiency and composure have earmarked them as serious contenders heading into the knockout stages.
Under-15 Teams: Promising Signs
In the Under-15 category, both the boys and girls teams began their campaigns with positive signs.
The boys team beat Macau 3-0 and then overcame Thailand 3-1 to position themselves favourably ahead of their final group clash against Kazakhstan. A win in that match would secure them a top-of-the-table finish.
Meanwhile, the Under-15 Girls began with a strong 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia, but were edged out 2-3 by a competitive Singapore team in their next outing. They will now take on Kyrgyzstan in a decisive clash that could determine their advancement into the main draw.
Focus Shifts to Knockout Rounds
The championship, held from June 26 to July 2, features Asia’s most promising paddlers in both team and individual events across U-15 and U-19 categories.
The event has special significance as the Asian Youth Championships remain a key platform for grooming future stars and a valuable benchmark against the continent’s elite.
Summary of Indian Results Group Stage
U-19 Girls (Group 4):
- Against North Korea – Won 3-2
- Suhana def. Gyong Young Kye (3-2)
- Syndrela lost to Rim Hong Jo (1-3)
- Taneesha def. Ung Rye Pang (3-1)
- Suhana lost to Rim Hong Jo (1-3)
- Syndrela def. Gyong Young Kye (3-0)
- Against Uzbekistan – Won 3-2
- Taneesha lost to Asel Erkebaeva (1-3)
- Suhana def. Sogdiana Ibodullaeva (3-0)
- Hansini def. Shoira Kodirova (3-0)
- Suhana lost to Asel Erkebaeva (2-3)
- Taneesha def. Sogdiana Ibodullaeva (3-0)
- U-19 Boys (Group 1):
- Against Saudi Arabia – Won 3-0
- Abhinand def. Ali Alther
- Ankur def. Moaid Arif
- Priyanuj def. Abdullah Alhenaki
- Against Nepal – Won 3-0
- Abhinand def. Himal Bista
- Ankur def. Prabesh Basnet
- Priyanuj def. Gananjaya Dahal
- U-15 Boys:
- 🆚 Macau – Won 3-0
- 🆚 Thailand – Won 3-1
- Next Match: 🆚 Kazakhstan
U-15 Girls:
- 🆚 Saudi Arabia – Won 3-0
- 🆚 Singapore – Lost 2-3
- Next Match: 🆚 Kyrgyzstan
With the main draw now in focus, India’s young paddlers will aim to convert early momentum into medals. Encouraged by the composed performances and high-pressure wins, the road to the podium is open and India is in the mix.
