The second UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships concluded at the Thyagaraj Stadium with a commanding display of class and authority from the country’s top seeds.
G. Sathiyan and Diya Chitale emerged men’s and women’s singles champions respectively, reinforcing their dominance on the domestic circuit and highlighting the gulf between India’s established stars and the chasing pack. In the men’s singles final, former national champion G. Sathiyan reminded everyone why he remains one of India’s most consistent performers. Facing Bengal youngster Ankur Bhattacharjee, Sathiyan stormed into an early 2-0 lead, using his quick reflexes and sharp placements to dictate the rallies.
The turning point came in the third game when Sathiyan held a game point but let it slip, with Ankur snatching the game 13-11 to stay alive. Rather than panic, Sathiyan adjusted his tactics with trademark composure slowing down the pace, denying Ankur the flat, fast rallies he thrives on, and mixing up his serves. The move worked, as he regained control to take the fourth game and move 3-1 up.
Ankur, however, continued to fight. In the fifth game, he built a slender 9-6 advantage and threatened to push the contest deeper. But Sathiyan’s experience showed at the crunch. Crisp serves close to the net and calm finishes under pressure swung momentum his way, and he sealed the title with a 4-1 victory. For Sathiyan, who is heading to Turkey tonight for the upcoming WTT event, this title serves as a timely confidence booster. It was also his first crown of the season, and one that underlines his continued relevance at the very top of Indian table tennis.
Diya Chitale rediscovers her champion’s touch
If Sathiyan’s triumph was built on resilience, Diya Chitale’s was stamped with authority. The defending national champion and top seed returned to peak form to outclass former national champion Sutirtha Mukherjee 4-0 in the women’s singles final. Diya, representing RBI, entered the season with injury concerns and a slow start in Vadodara. But in Delhi, she looked sharp, fit, and composed. Against Sutirtha, representing RSPB, she combined aggression with consistency, never allowing her opponent to settle.
Though the third seed attempted to stretch rallies in patches, Diya’s calm control of the pace and angles ensured she never lost grip on the match. Her semifinal encounter against Yashaswini Ghorpade had been trickier. After dropping the opening game, Diya tightened up her strokes and footwork, eventually cruising home 4-1. Carrying that focus into the final, she left no room for surprises, completing a flawless run to her first major title of the season. For Diya, this win was not just about lifting the trophy—it was about silencing doubts and proving her readiness for bigger challenges ahead.
Youngsters make their mark
While the spotlight fell on the senior champions, the event also produced breakout performances in the youth categories. Tamil Nadu’s P.B. Abhinand and M. Hansini, the top two seeds in their draws, stamped their authority with commanding victories in the Under-19 singles finals. Their wins not only gave Tamil Nadu a golden double but also underlined the state’s growing influence in shaping India’s next generation of paddlers. Abhinand, fresh from a strong showing at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Skopje, continued his momentum with a 4-1 win over West Bengal’s Oishik Ghosh. After splitting the first two games, Abhinand displayed superior pace and precision in the key moments, edging a tense third game 12-10 before pulling away.
Earlier, he had overcome Bengal’s Punit Biswas in the semifinal, while Oishik upset Tamil Nadu’s Senthil Kumar Mehan, who was a surprise entry in the last four. In the girls’ section, reigning national champion Hansini proved too strong for Maharashtra’s Jennifer Varghese, racing to a 4-0 victory in the final. Jennifer had caused the biggest upset of the tournament in the semifinals, edging past top seed Syndrela Das 3-2 in a thriller. But she found no answers to Hansini’s dominant all-round game in the final, falling in straight games.
Hansini, meanwhile, eased past Naisha Rewaskar in her semifinal and never looked in danger of slipping up.
The senior women’s draw also saw promising signs from youngsters. Sayanika Maji of Delhi made her maiden semifinal appearance in a national ranking event, upsetting Syndrela Das en route. Though she eventually bowed out to Sutirtha Mukherjee, the Manavsthali School student’s fearless performance suggests a bright future. For Yashaswini Ghorpade, her strong start against Diya in the semifinal once again showed her growing maturity at this level, even if she fell short against the defending champion.
Tamil Nadu’s rising dominance
With Abhinand and Hansini clinching the Under-19 titles, Tamil Nadu capped a memorable campaign. The state has consistently produced national-level talent, and these results reaffirm its reputation as a powerhouse of Indian table tennis development. The performances of Abhinand and Hansini also signal that India’s next line of champions is steadily taking shape, ready to complement the achievements of stars like Sathiyan, Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra, and Diya Chitale on the senior stage.
Results at a glance
- Men’s Singles Final: G. Sathiyan (PSPB) bt Ankur Bhattacharjee (WB) 11-5, 11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9.
- Women’s Singles Final: Diya Chitale (RBI) bt Sutirtha Mukherjee (RSPB) 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6.
- U-19 Boys Final: P.B. Abhinand (TN) bt Oishik Ghosh (WB) 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 14-12.
- U-19 Girls Final: M. Hansini (TN) bt Jennifer Varghese (Mah) 11-4, 11-3, 14-12, 11-4.
As the Thyagaraj Stadium lights dimmed, the second UTT National Ranking Championships left behind two clear takeaways. At the senior level, Sathiyan and Diya remain the players to beat, their experience and composure still unmatched. At the youth level, Tamil Nadu’s prodigies Abhinand and Hansini are ready to carry the baton forward, raising hopes of continued Indian success in the global arena.
The mix of dominance and emerging talent made this edition a showcase of both excellence and promise a reminder that Indian table tennis is steadily broadening its base while keeping its champions firmly at the top.
