Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil): Indian table tennis found renewed momentum at the WTT Star Contender Brazil, held at the Rafain Convention Center, where the nation’s paddlers made their mark in both doubles and singles.
While Manika Batra’s spirited quarterfinal run underlined her resurgence, Manush Shah emerged as the most consistent performer, reaching the finals in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles. In mixed doubles, Manush Shah and Diya Chitale continued their impressive partnership by storming into the final and securing silver. The duo, who had clinched the WTT Contender Tunis title in April, entered the Brazil event as top seeds and lived up to expectations with a series of commanding wins.
They eased past Chile’s Gomez/Ortega in the quarterfinals and produced a dominant semifinal display against fourth seeds Burgos/Vega. In the final, however, they ran into Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto and Satoshi Aida. Despite a strong fight, the Indians went down 2–3 (4-11, 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 2-11) in a gripping contest that swung on momentum shifts. Though disappointed at missing gold, the silver medal provided a vital confidence boost for the pair after a string of early exits in recent events.
Men’s Doubles Runner-Up Finish
Shah’s fine run extended to the men’s doubles, where he partnered Manav Thakkar to another runner-up finish. The Indian duo showed sharp reflexes and chemistry, defeating Japan’s Aida/Oikawa (R16), France’s Bourrassaud/Bardet (QF), and Chinese Taipei’s Huang/Kao (SF) to set up a title clash against Germany’s seasoned pairing of Benedikt Duda and Dang Qiu.
The final was a roller-coaster affair, with the Indians bouncing back after a slow start. They took the second game and pushed the contest deep, even saving game points in the fourth. Ultimately, the Germans prevailed 3–1 (11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 15-13), but Shah and Thakkar left Brazil with plenty of positives and the assurance of belonging at this level.
Manika’s Golden Glimpse
For Manika Batra, Brazil was about rediscovering her spark. After a lean spell in 2025, the 12th seed produced her best run of the year, reaching the quarterfinals with a mix of grit and flair. She began by overcoming compatriot Diya Chitale 3-1 in the Round of 32, before pulling off a stunning comeback against Korea’s 7th seed Kim Nayeong. In a dramatic 35-minute battle, Manika turned the tide to win 3–2 (6-11, 11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4).
Her journey ended in the last eight, but the achievement was historic. With this result, Manika became the first Indian paddler to reach the quarterfinal stage or beyond in every tier of the WTT Series, completing a unique set that began with WTT Contender Budapest 2021 and included appearances at the WTT Feeder (Biella 2023), WTT Champions (Montpellier 2024), Saudi Smash (2024), and now the WTT Star Contender (Brazil 2025).
Currently ranked World No. 53, behind compatriot Sreeja Akula (46), Manika’s resurgence comes at a crucial juncture as Indian table tennis looks to rebuild momentum after a glittering 2024.
Shah’s twin silver medals and Chitale’s strong showing underline the bench strength, while Manika’s run highlights that India’s biggest star still has plenty left to offer. For a sport that soared to historic highs last year, Brazil was less about medals and more about belief. It offered a reminder that Indian table tennis continues to brim with untapped potential, and that the best, as fans hope, is yet to come.
