Indore witnessed a defining moment in Indian para table tennis as Nurjahan Jamani clinched the Women’s Class 7 title at the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Para Nationals Championship 2025–26, held from February 26–28.
The victory not only secured her the national crown but also elevated her to India No. 1 in the category, marking a significant milestone in her competitive resurgence.
Backed by Adani Sportsline under its ‘Garv Hai’ athlete support initiative, Nurjahan’s triumph comes at a crucial phase of her career one shaped by reclassification, renewed ambition, and a clear continental target.
A Transition That Reset the Ladder
Nurjahan’s title win carries added weight because it follows an international medical reclassification that moved her from Women’s Class 6 to Class 7. Previously ranked World No. 12 in Class 6, the shift placed her in a stronger and more competitive bracket, resetting her global ranking to World No. 28.
Reclassification in para sport is more than administrative; it can fundamentally alter competitive dynamics. Athletes must recalibrate technically and tactically while adjusting to opponents with different movement profiles and playing intensities.
In Indore, however, Nurjahan showed no signs of hesitation. She navigated the knockout stages with authority before defeating Dhwani Shah 3–1 in the final to seal the national championship.
“I needed this win to regain momentum after the reclassification,” she said. “It gives me confidence at a crucial stage. My focus now is clear: to break into the Top 6 in Asia and qualify.”
Currently ranked No. 8 in Asia in Women’s Class 7, Nurjahan’s immediate objective is a Top 6 finish the benchmark required to secure qualification for the upcoming Asian Para Games.
The next four months will be decisive. She is scheduled to compete in international tournaments across Italy, Spain and other circuits, targeting valuable ranking points against top-tier Asian and European competition. The recalibration phase is not just about adapting to classification but also about managing performance peaks strategically. In Class 7, rally tempo, placement precision and shot tolerance often differ from Class 6, demanding nuanced tactical adjustments.
Her national title provides psychological reinforcement ahead of this international stretch a reminder that she remains competitive at the highest domestic level despite the shift.
A Return Built on Persistence
Nurjahan’s journey into elite sport reflects sustained resilience. A polio survivor since the age of five, she initially competed before stepping away from professional sport for an extended period. In 2022, she made a deliberate return to competitive table tennis a comeback that has since evolved into one of India’s most consistent para campaigns.
Now 39, she balances elite sport with professional responsibilities as a Junior Officer at Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) in Ahmedabad. The dual demands of work and training require disciplined time management, particularly in a sport that necessitates year-round international travel.
“It is challenging to manage work shifts and training,” she acknowledged. “But Garv Hai’s support has been crucial in helping me compete internationally.”
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Adani Sportsline’s ‘Garv Hai’ initiative has played a stabilising role in Nurjahan’s competitive trajectory. Through financial backing, exposure opportunities and structured mentorship, the programme enables athletes to focus on performance rather than logistical constraints.
In para sport, where international exposure is vital for ranking mobility, sustained institutional backing often determines whether athletes can maintain consistent global participation. Travel costs, equipment upgrades and access to international competition calendars significantly impact ranking progression.
As Nurjahan enters this pivotal qualification window, that ecosystem of support becomes central to her campaign.
Her Indore victory is not merely a domestic achievement; it is a strategic reset point. The transition from Class 6 to Class 7 required rebuilding competitive momentum almost from scratch at the international level. Becoming India No. 1 in her new classification signals that the adaptation phase is progressing in the right direction.
For Indian para table tennis, her success underscores growing depth within classifications and the increasing competitiveness of national championships aligned with UTT structures.
More importantly, it reflects an athlete operating with clarity of purpose. The pathway ahead is defined climb from Asia No. 8 to Top 6, secure Asian Para Games qualification, and re-establish herself among the continent’s most consistent podium contenders.
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At 39, Nurjahan Jamani is not merely extending a career; she is strategically rebuilding one. And with the national title secured and continental ambitions clearly mapped out, her campaign now shifts to the global stage where ranking points, resilience and execution will determine the next chapter of her journey.
