NEW DELHI: Diya Chitale and Manush Shah on Tuesday made history by becoming the first Indian duo to qualify for the prestigious WTT Finals , scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from Dec 10 to 14.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The five-day event showcases the 16 top-ranked players in men’s and women’s singles and eight mixed doubles pairs from the world table tennis circuit for the season-ending championships. The Indian mixed doubles pair, ranked No. 5 in the world, will solely represent the country in this ‘exclusive-by-invitation-only’ tournament.
“It’s a huge honour to compete in a Finals event, and an even bigger one to be the first Indians to do so. This moment isn’t just ours – it’s a sign of how much Indian TT has grown, and how bright its future looks. I am proud to play even a small part in this story. We will give everything to make it a memorable one,” Diya, reigning women’s singles national champion, told TOI.
“This year has been special – every match has been a lesson and a milestone. Beating Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Sora Matsushima in Tunis was a huge moment for us, one that made us believe we could stand with the best. The wins in the US Smash and Buenos Aires, against some of the strongest Japanese and South Korean pairs, gave us the confidence to keep pushing. Reaching the WTT Finals feels like the reward for all those battles,” Diya added.
Diya reckoned the achievement as a new chapter in the country’s TT landscape. “The journey to the top continues for us in Hong Kong. We are ready to face the best in the world. It’s a landmark moment for Indian TT.”
The qualification criteria for the WTT Finals is such that every place in the draw is earned through performance alone, based on points accumulated strictly from the WTT Series: Grand Smashes, WTT Champions and WTT Contender events.
For singles players, qualification is determined by their best 4 Grand Smash, 4 Champions and 6 Contender results – with eligible-but-missed events still counted in the race. Feeder Series results are used only if Contender quotas can’t be fulfilled. For mixed doubles, it’s a combination of the best Grand Smash and Contender finishes.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The five-day event showcases the 16 top-ranked players in men’s and women’s singles and eight mixed doubles pairs from the world table tennis circuit for the season-ending championships. The Indian mixed doubles pair, ranked No. 5 in the world, will solely represent the country in this ‘exclusive-by-invitation-only’ tournament.
“It’s a huge honour to compete in a Finals event, and an even bigger one to be the first Indians to do so. This moment isn’t just ours – it’s a sign of how much Indian TT has grown, and how bright its future looks. I am proud to play even a small part in this story. We will give everything to make it a memorable one,” Diya, reigning women’s singles national champion, told TOI.
“This year has been special – every match has been a lesson and a milestone. Beating Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Sora Matsushima in Tunis was a huge moment for us, one that made us believe we could stand with the best. The wins in the US Smash and Buenos Aires, against some of the strongest Japanese and South Korean pairs, gave us the confidence to keep pushing. Reaching the WTT Finals feels like the reward for all those battles,” Diya added.
Diya reckoned the achievement as a new chapter in the country’s TT landscape. “The journey to the top continues for us in Hong Kong. We are ready to face the best in the world. It’s a landmark moment for Indian TT.”
The qualification criteria for the WTT Finals is such that every place in the draw is earned through performance alone, based on points accumulated strictly from the WTT Series: Grand Smashes, WTT Champions and WTT Contender events.
For singles players, qualification is determined by their best 4 Grand Smash, 4 Champions and 6 Contender results – with eligible-but-missed events still counted in the race. Feeder Series results are used only if Contender quotas can’t be fulfilled. For mixed doubles, it’s a combination of the best Grand Smash and Contender finishes.
You may also like
Excruciating moment Prince Harry puts on fake US accent
Sonam Wangchuk detained on 'stale' FIRs, in violation of law, wife tells SC
U.S. Vice President JD Vance comments on Hasan Piker's dog collar controversy
Vietnamese migrants face fast-tracked deportations in new deal
Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher left bruised after 'physical assault' outside work
