City paddler Achanta Sharth Kamal is confident of keeping his Commonwealth Games gold medal. Sharath, who won the men’s singles title at the Melbourne edition, is high on confidence after winning two international events, including his maiden Pro Tour crown in Cairo recently.
“I am very confident of retaining the singles title in the CWG. I had started my mental preparation three years ago, because to win such a big event you need to formulate a long-term strategy, things do not happen overnight,” Sharath, who last month broke into top-50 bracket, said.
Sharath is currently in China for the last phase of preparations and the TT star is confident that the trip will stand him in good stead. In the last one year several trips to China were a part of the table tennis team’s training for the October sporting extravaganza. “China tours are giving much required exposure to the players. There we can play against quality Chinese paddlers and that improves our skills also. I hope that it will help us during the Delhi Games,” Sharath added.
Kamal, who had reached a career best ranking of 39th, has slipped two rungs down in the latest ITTF rating list. “I know that pressure will be there because people expect me to perform. But I want to encash the huge support I will get during the Games. People cheering for you is itself very inspiring which will help me. I am sure that all the other players will also give their best during the Games,” Sharath explained.
TN’s K. Shamini is also in the squad for the CWG. Shamini was part of the Indian team that had won bronze in Melbourne Games and this time they are targetting the yellow metal but it will be difficult in the presence of players from countries such as Singapore.