Indian men clinch TT gold

Sanjaya Ariyaratna

TABLE TENNIS: The men's Indian Table Tennis team put up a fine performance to beat Sri Lankan men's Table Tennis team to clinch the gold medal at the 10th South Asian Games Table Tennis team championships which concluded yesterday at the S Thomas' College Indoor Stadium, Mt. Lavinia.

Sri Lanka won the Silver medal while Nepal won the bronze medal. Sri Lanka qualified for the finals as our paddlers beat Nepal convincingly when India went on to win against Pakistan in their semi-final match. In the final match Thilina Piyadasa top ranked player of Sri Lanka came out with fine shots to beat Soumyadeep Roy of India in a four setter. (11/6, 10/12, 11/6, 11/5).

Though Thilina had to sacrifice the second set he went on to win the following two sets at 11/6 and 11/5 in the fourth and fifth sets, respectively. In the second match Rohan Sirisena was beaten by Sharath Kamal Achanata of India in a three setter (7/11, 6/11, 8/11,) Sharath entered the game attacking well the backhand of Rohan and Sharath found his form well during the second set.

In the third match Subhajit Saha overcame Tharindu Samaraweera in a four setter (11/5, 11/7, 9/11, 11/3) Subhajit took the honours in the first set as Tharindu failed to block the powerful smashes of Subhajit. In the final set Subhajith captured the advantage of the game and he extended his lead 10 to 3. Then he finished the game at 11 to 3.

In the fourth match Sharath Kamal Achanata scored his second victory against Thilina Piyadasa taking the team championship and the Gold medal in a three setter (11/8, 11/8, 11/7), Thilina failed to win any set as Sharath was in good form and his fine shots weakened Thilina to secure points.