Picture Credit: X
One of the greats of the game, veteran Indian table tennis player, Achanta Sharath Kamal on Wednesday, March 5 announced retirement from professional sport. The great confirmed that he will be retiring from the sport after WTT Contender tournament in Chennai.
The 42-year-old added that he will bring down curtains to his elaborated career after playing in front of his home crowd in Chennai later this month. In a post shared on X (formerly called Twitter), the seven-time Commonwealth Games medallist, began, “Let's start 40 years ago, when I was two years old. That's when I held a racket in my hand for the first time, not knowing it would become my longest-standing companion.”
A. Sharath Kamal to retire after WTT Contender in Chennai
However, the 42-year-old also said that he will not let go off the raquet completely, but it will surely be his last in front of jam-packed crowds. “Not saying I'm letting it go completely, but this is certainly the end for us on the big tables, in front of the big crowds. Time to give my bandana and racket some rest," Sharath Kamal added. The veteran also extended his gratitude towards everyone who have contributed in his journey as he wrote, "Grateful beyond words - for all the joy, for all the love, for all the pain, for all the lessons, and for all the people this sport has given me. Every little piece will stay with me always.”
"And so, five Olympics later, 10 National Championship titles in hand, international medals, and the honour of wearing the India jersey for so longit's tough to imagine what life will be like when I'm not playing table tennis. But now, I must reimagine it anyway,” he continued.
The TT veteran also claimed that it will be fitting to end his journey from where it all began as he said, "It's fitting that my journey concludes where it all beganat home. Therefore, the WTT Star Contender in Chennai later this month will be my final professional event, after which I will continue to serve the sport off the table. As they say, life comes a full circle!”
Speaking of his illustrious two-decade long career, Kamal has won seven gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and two bronze medals in the Asian Games. In July 2024, Sharath Kamal made his fifth and final Olympic appearance in Paris, where he was also the flag-bearer alongside PV Sindhu in the opening ceremony.
