Ghosh shows progress

 

 

New Delhi, June 7: An Olympic medal may still be a long shot for an Indian table tennis player, but all the the four Rio Games qualifiers—Soumyajit Ghosh, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Mouma Das and Manika Batra—have shown considerable improvement in their world rankings.  

 

According to the latest ITTF rankings, released on Monday, Ghosh has jumped four places to be at No. 61 from No. 65 while Sharath Kamal, who was 73 last month, now occupies slot No. 69.

 

Manika Batra, who was occupying the No. 128 position last month, has moved 13 places up the ladder to be at 115—the best thus far for the reigning National champion.  

 

All the three players who have been preparing themselves for the Rio Games have been competing in some pro-tour events and their continuous labour in competitions abroad has yielded results—in terms of good, stiff competition as well as earning them valuable ranking points.

 

However, Mouma Das, who had been training with her personal coach at Kolkata, will be participating in her first competition abroad—at the Japan Open, beginning in Tokyo from June 15.

 

Yet, Mouma has managed to occupy No. 145 in the world ranking, thus gaining 13 places. She was placed at No. 158, her previous best.

 

Among men, Harmeet has gained two places to be at 116 from No. 118.