The 28th edition of the ITTF-ATTU Asian Team Table Tennis Championships got underway in vibrant fashion at the Kalinga Stadium Indoor Athletics Centre, marking the start of a weeklong showcase of Asia’s finest table tennis talent.
On an opening day when the spotlight belonged to lesser-known teams, the event served up a blend of grit, skill, and sporting spirit that set the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. With top-seeded sides including hosts India, Japan, and China resting on the opening day, fans were treated instead to a glimpse of emerging teams fighting for a place in the elite Champions Division. Despite the absence of the continent’s biggest stars, the matches were fiercely contested, drawing applause from an enthusiastic Bhubaneswar crowd eager to celebrate the sport’s continental spectacle.
Men’s Division: Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka Lead the Charge
In the men’s section, Kazakhstan, even without their top-ranked player Kirill Gerassimenko, proved too strong for Kyrgyzstan in Group A, sealing a 3–0 victory. Alan Kurmangliyev and Sanzhar Zhubanov laid the foundation with straight-game wins before Aidos Kenzhigulov produced the match of the day rallying from two games down to win 13–15, 11–13, 11–8, 11–1, 11–5 and complete the clean sweep.
In the same group, Sri Lanka showcased admirable resilience to overcome an early setback and beat Kyrgyzstan 3–1. After Nimesh Ranchagoda lost the opening tie, teammates Chameera Ginige and Chanul Kulappuwawadu displayed superb composure to steer the islanders to a morale-boosting victory their first points of the competition.
Elsewhere, Group B saw Mongolia open their campaign with a hard-earned 3–1 win over Maldives, while Iran flexed their depth and precision to dispatch the same opponents 3–0 later in the day. In Group C, Uzbekistan and Singapore both notched dominant 3–0 wins over Oman, underlining their intent to contest top spot in the coming rounds. DPR Korea and Malaysia, in Group D, mirrored that authority with identical 3–0 triumphs over Macau (China), while Thailand and Qatar made commanding statements in Group E.
Thailand swept both Bangladesh and Nepal, while Qatar scored emphatic 3–0 and 3–1 victories to stay unbeaten after day one.
The opening day’s results reinforced the competitive nature of the qualification round, where only group winners advance to the Champions Division, intensifying every match with knockout-level importance.
Women’s Division: Macau and Uzbekistan Thrill in a Five-Game Battle
The women’s competition brought its share of drama, particularly in Group C, where Macau (China) edged out Uzbekistan 3–2 in a pulsating contest that went the distance. Shoira Kodirova gave Uzbekistan the perfect start with a confident opening win, but Huang Cheong Leng and Seak Hui Li responded for Macau, giving them a 2–1 lead. Kodirova, returning for the fifth and deciding rubber, displayed exceptional composure to seal a straight-game win, handing Uzbekistan a fighting but narrow defeat.
In Group A, Sri Lanka’s women began their campaign on a strong note, sweeping Mongolia 3–0 with consistent attacking play and strong teamwork. Kazakhstan mirrored that efficiency in Group B, breezing past the Maldives without dropping a game. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei, one of the tournament’s most balanced sides, wasted no time asserting their dominance in Group C with a 3–0 victory over Bangladesh. In Group D, Malaysia defeated Nepal 3–0 and Iran outclassed Kyrgyzstan by the same margin, ensuring a clean opening day for both sides.
The women’s qualifiers resume later tonight, with several key clashes likely to determine who tops each group.
For Bhubaneswar, hosting the Asian Team Championships for the first time, the atmosphere was electric from the very first serve. With rhythmic drumming, tricolor flags, and an energetic audience that filled the stands early in the morning session, the city embraced the event with the same passion it has shown for major global sporting tournaments in recent years.
The Odisha government’s seamless organization including a reconfigured indoor athletics center, custom lighting, and enhanced viewing experience was widely praised by players and officials alike. “It feels like playing in a mini world championship,” said one team coach, emphasizing the professionalism of the setup.
While the opening day celebrated underdogs and new contenders, the arrival of the top-tier nations on Day 2 will raise the competitive stakes dramatically. India, China, Japan, and Korea Republic all rested on the opening day will take the court tomorrow in the Champions Division.
For India, led by Sharath Kamal, G. Sathiyan, and Manika Batra, the focus will be on translating home advantage into early momentum. The men’s team, seeded fifth, will look to better their semifinal finish from the 2021 edition, while the women’s squad, featuring Ayhika and Sutirtha Mukherjee, aim for a strong continental statement after their bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
With only group leaders progressing to the championship bracket, every point will count as the week unfolds.
The opening day of the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Team Championships belonged to the underdogs the athletes who may not yet headline the sport but showcased its soul: fight, passion, and belief. As the heavyweights prepare to enter the fray, Bhubaneswar stands ready to witness continental table tennis at its finest.
The stage is set, the paddles are primed, and the city’s lights are glowing Asia’s table tennis battle has truly begun.
