India’s next generation of table tennis stars continued to make their mark on the global stage with a stellar performance at the WTT Youth Contender Dubai 2025, held from October 14–17 at the Shabab Al-Ahli Club.
Competing across the U19, U17, U15, and U13 categories, the Indian contingent returned home with an impressive nine medals including two golds, four silvers, and three bronzes reaffirming the country’s growing depth and competitiveness in world youth table tennis. Part of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Series, the event featured top-ranked players from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, serving as a vital platform for young paddlers to gain ranking points, exposure, and elite match experience. For India, Dubai 2025 underlined not just individual success, but the strength of a structured development program that is beginning to yield consistent international results.
Golden Triumphs: Kavya Bhatt and Ankolika Chakraborty Shine Bright
India’s standout moments came from its girls’ contingent, with Kavya Bhatt and Ankolika Chakraborty clinching gold in the U17 and U15 Girls’ Singles categories respectively both registering breakthrough victories that signal the emergence of new stars in Indian table tennis.
In the U17 final, Kavya Bhatt showcased remarkable composure to defeat compatriot Ananya Chande in an all-Indian clash. The 16-year-old, ranked World No. 87 in the ITTF Youth Rankings, prevailed 3–1 (11–7, 7–11, 11–9, 11–9) after a tight tactical duel. Her control of tempo and ability to finish points under pressure stood out particularly in the closing stages, where she held her nerve in consecutive 11–9 games.
Kavya’s route to the title was marked by dominance and discipline. She dispatched Egypt’s Farida Thabet 3–0 in the quarterfinals and overcame a determined challenge from Chinese Taipei’s Lee Mei-Hui in the semis. This title marks her first-ever WTT Youth Contender crown, cementing her place among the continent’s top U17 performers.
Ankolika Chakraborty’s Double Medal Heroics
At just 13, Ankolika Chakraborty continued her meteoric rise by clinching gold in the U15 Girls’ Singles and bronze in the U17 category, underlining her adaptability and technical maturity. Ranked World No. 48, Ankolika dominated the U15 draw, dropping just one game en route to the title. In the final, she outclassed Japan’s Miyu Arai 3–1 with a combination of precise placement and lightning-fast forehand counters. Earlier, she had eased past Kazakhstan’s Amina Ilimbetova in straight games (11–6, 11–7, 11–5).
Competing above her age group in U17, she produced a series of inspired performances before bowing out in the semifinals to teammate Kavya Bhatt. Her additional bronze medal in the U15 mixed doubles, alongside Kazakhstan’s Alexey Markin, added to her growing international résumé.
Steady Progress at the U19 Level
While India’s dominance was most visible in the younger categories, the U19 division offered valuable indicators of future senior potential.
- Avani Tripathi captured silver in the U19 Girls’ Singles, showcasing improved consistency and tactical depth.
- Ananya Chande, already a finalist in U17, added a bronze medal in U19, underscoring her versatility and endurance across multiple categories.
- On the boys’ side, Kushal Chopda (WR 107) earned a bronze after a strong run that included victories over players from Hong Kong and Iran.
- The mixed doubles pairing of Atherva Gupta and Diya also secured bronze, adding a crucial team event podium for India.
These results represent steady progress for India’s top-tier juniors, though the focus now shifts to converting semifinals into titles at the senior transition level a gap that remains the next big developmental challenge.
Young Foundations: U13 Category Delivers Promise
India’s youngest paddlers also impressed in the U13 categories, where they held their own against some of the most talented early-stage players from Japan and Korea.
- Prateek Tulsani clinched silver in Boys’ Singles after a valiant run that included a narrow 3–2 win in the semifinals.
- Tanisha Kalbhairav (silver) and Daniya Godil (bronze) made it a double podium finish in Girls’ Singles, marking one of India’s strongest-ever U13 results in a WTT event.
These results reaffirm that India’s grassroots pathway built through the Khelo India Table Tennis Centres and the TTFI National Development Circuit is functioning effectively in identifying and nurturing early talent. The Dubai campaign holds far greater significance than the medal count. It validated India’s multi-level player progression system, designed to bridge the gap between national-level dominance and global competitiveness.
- The Importance of the WTT Pathway: Participation in WTT Contender events ensures Indian players gain ranking stability and match experience against a variety of international playing styles. It also feeds directly into qualification for the WTT Youth Star Contender and WTT Feeder Series, which are critical stepping stones toward senior rankings.
- The U19 Challenge: While India’s U15 and U17 athletes are winning medals consistently, results at U19 level highlight a plateau phase. Strengthening the transition-to-senior training focusing on rally endurance, serve-receive variation, and physical conditioning remains the key to bridging this gap.
- Encouraging Cross-Age Participation: India’s strategic move to let younger players, like Ankolika and Kavya, compete above their category is paying dividends. Exposure to physically tougher opponents builds resilience and tactical maturity qualities essential for success at senior international tournaments.
The WTT Youth Contender Dubai 2025 will be remembered as a benchmark in India’s table tennis journey a tournament that showcased the nation’s evolving depth, from the fearless U13s to the world-class composure of the U19s. Led by the golden duo of Kavya Bhatt and Ankolika Chakraborty, India’s young paddlers proved they belong on the global stage. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum by transitioning talent into senior competition, ensuring international exposure, and investing in elite-level coaching infrastructure.
If Dubai 2025 is any indication, India’s youth system isn’t just producing potential it’s producing podiums.
