28-Oct-2025
Odisha boy Sarthak Arya created table tennis history by winning the mixed doubles bronze medal at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain yesterday. He achieved the glorious feat with West Bengal girl Syndrela Das as his partner. The Indian duo settled for the bronze after going down fighting to a Chinese pair of Tang Yiren and Hu Yi in the thrilling semifinals 2-3.
Sarthak and Syndrela galloped to a 2-0 lead, winning the first two games 11-5 and 11-9. But the mighty Chinese pair fought back with aggression to take the next three games 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 and the match 3-2 in 39 minutes.
Sarthak and Syndrela clinched the first-ever table tennis doubles medal for India at the Asian Youth Games when they eliminated top seeds Korean combination of Yerim Heo and Seungsoo Lee in an exciting quarterfinal clash 3-2 (11-13, 11-5, 12-10, 11-13, 11-9).
Sarthak and Syndrela booked their quarterfinal berth with a 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-3) win over Thailand opponents Nimit Soiphuang and Chisa Cachamit. Earlier in their Round-32 match against Maldives duo Aishath Nafiz and Mohamed Rafiu, Sarthak and Syndrela won 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-4) in just 11 minutes.
Sarthak also reached Round of 32 in boys singles before losing to Guanhong Zhou of China 5-11, 8-11, 7-11. Earlier in Group-K, Sarthak beat John Marin (Philippines) 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7) and lost to William Man (Hong Kong) 1-3 (11-13, 9-11, 11-8, 15-17).
Throughout the competition, Sarthak excelled with his explosive backhand and tactical awareness, while Syndrela dictated rallies and maintained composure against higher-ranked opponents. The two have been part of a new generation of Indian paddlers training under national coach S Raman and foreign expert Massimo Constantini, who have emphasized mental resilience and speed-oriented doubles strategy.
Meanwhile, Odisha weightlifter Tikimohini Mallik finished seventh in the girls 63 kg weight class, lifting 75 kg in snatch, 98 kg in clean & jerk and 173 kg in total. Earlier, Odisha lifter Priteesmita Bhoi won the gold medal with new Youth World Record in girls 44 kg category.
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PHOTO: Indian mixed doubles pair of Sarthak Arya (Right) and Syndrela Das in action at the table tennis competition of the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain on 28 October 2025.
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