Achanta Sharath ready to hang his boots after one final attempt at winning an Olympic medal in Paris next year

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

A career that has spanned 25 years, put India on world table tennis map, and collected almost all accolades, is still longing for that one medal. Sharath has never returned emptyhanded from the Commonwealth Games (CWG) ever since making the debut in 2006. The Asian Games box was also ticked off in 2018, with two bronze medals – men’s team and mixed doubles.

So was the Asian Championships in 2021, with a bronze each in men’s team and men’s doubles. World Championships are still to be won; there is o n e s ch e d u l e d i n February 2024, and it is also an Olympic qualifying tournament. 2022 was a “fairytale”.

Sharath became the national champion for a record 10th time. He bagged a bronze at World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Doha (WTT was created by the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) to further the commercial aspect of the sport). Three gold and a silver CWG medal aside, he was awarded Khel Ratna, and got elected to the ITTF’s Athletes’ Commission, and as vice-chairperson of Athletes Commission of Indian Olympic Association.

While for 2023, the primary target is the Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 24 to October 2, the ultimate goal is the Games in Paris. “For me, the main goal, more than 2023 is 2024, and I hope I can finish it off with that (an Olympic medal),” Sharath says. “I have played a very long innings.” And, between administrat i o n and coaching, he is yet to decide on his next calling.

“When I am travelling with the team, many already mistake me to be the manager or the coach, because even the coaches are younger than me,” he quips. THE MENTOR Sharath has been quite at ease in a mentoring role for some time. And, starting this Thursday, in the Ultimate Table Tennis