India’s table tennis stars put on a commanding show at the WTT Contender Lagos 2025, returning home with an impressive nine-medal haul three golds, one silver, and five bronze.
Held in Nigeria, this event turned into a showcase of India’s depth, resilience, and the rise of both new and established talents, signaling that Indian table tennis is steadily moving from promise to consistent performance on the international stage.
Dominant Show in Men’s Doubles and Sreeja’s Silver Spark
Among the standout moments, the gold medal won by Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Akash Pal in the men’s doubles captured the spotlight. The experienced Sathiyan, paired with the energetic and fast-rising Akash, displayed remarkable chemistry throughout the tournament. Their campaign culminated in a clinical 3-0 win (11-9, 11-4, 11-9) over the French pair of Leo de Nodrest and Jules Rolland in the final. What made their triumph even more significant was the manner of victory: calm, controlled, and decisive, proving that Indian doubles combinations can compete and win against Europe’s finest.
Another highlight came from Sreeja Akula, who added a silver medal in women’s singles to her growing list of international achievements. Having been crowned champion in Lagos the previous year, Sreeja returned with confidence and purpose. Her biggest moment was a stunning upset over top-seeded and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Hina Hayata of Japan, whom she defeated in straight sets (11-7, 11-8, 11-3). This performance showcased Sreeja’s improved footwork, quick reflexes, and tactical sharpness.
In the final, she faced Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto, eventually going down 1-4. Despite the loss, the silver medal added to her growing reputation and reflected her ability to compete against the world’s best. This marked her second consecutive podium at Lagos an indicator of consistency and mental strength.
Rising Stars and Bronze Medal Show
While Sathiyan and Sreeja grabbed headlines, the depth of India’s bench strength was evident from the bronze medals across categories. In women’s singles, both Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee reached the semifinals to secure bronze, after battling past higher-ranked opponents. Their performances showed not just individual skill but also the growing self-belief in Indian paddlers.
In women’s doubles, Ayhika and Sutirtha combined forces to claim another bronze medal. The two have played together for years, and their coordination and complementary styles continue to deliver results at the international level.
India also shone in mixed doubles: the pairs of Manav Thakkar with Archana Kamath and Manush Shah with Diya Chitale both advanced to the semifinals, each bringing home bronze. Their aggressive returns and swift transitions kept opponents on the back foot, and although they fell short of the finals, these results underline the quality emerging from India’s mixed doubles bench.
Akash Pal’s Breakthrough and Team Effort
While Sathiyan brought experience, it was Akash Pal’s breakthrough tournament. His sharp forehand attacks, quick movements, and composure under pressure were vital in men’s doubles success. Participating in singles and mixed doubles too, Akash showcased maturity well beyond his years. His Lagos campaign may well secure him a stronger place in India’s core squad for bigger tournaments ahead.
Importantly, these results were no accident. Behind them lies the effort of coaches, physiotherapists, and support staff who worked tirelessly to prepare the team for the physical and mental demands of back-to-back international matches. The Table Tennis Federation of India’s (TTFI) strategic focus on targeted training camps and exposure events has begun to bear fruit.
Rankings Boost and Looking Ahead
The WTT Contender Lagos results are expected to lift the world rankings of several Indian players. For Sreeja Akula, the silver medal edges her closer to the top 30, an important milestone that can mean better seedings at future events. For Sathiyan and Akash, the men’s doubles gold should provide a significant rankings push improving draws at tougher WTT Star Contender and Asian Championship events.
India’s overall nine-medal haul serves as perfect preparation ahead of upcoming tournaments, especially with the Olympic team qualification cycle in sight. The momentum from Lagos will boost belief within the team and inspire the next wave of players.
India’s success in Lagos is not just about medals. It reflects a systematic rise in Indian table tennis. Talents like Ankur Bhattacharjee, world No. 3 in U19 boys singles; national champion Diya Chitale; and rising youngster Divyanshi, who recently won U17 gold, point to a strong future pipeline. They represent the continuity and ambition now driving Indian table tennis.
The WTT Contender Lagos 2025 will be remembered as a milestone event for India: three golds, one silver, five bronze, and above all, proof that Indian table tennis can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. As these players look toward the Asian Championships, WTT Star Contenders, and the road to the Olympics, Lagos will be seen as the tournament where India didn’t just participate they truly competed and made a statement.
For the fans back home, it’s more than just numbers on a medal tally. It’s a sign that Indian table tennis is rising, powered by talent, belief, and a shared vision of reaching the very top. And this, as Lagos has shown, is just the beginning.
