India’s medal tally at the Asian Games rose to 20 on Friday as Manush Shah and Diya Chitale won a historic bronze medal in the mixed doubles table tennis event.
The Indian pair suffered a defeat against China‘s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha in the semi-finals, losing 8-11, 5-11, 8-11, 2-11, but still secured a spot on the podium with the bronze medal.
This marks only the second time India has won a medal in mixed doubles table tennis at the Asian Games. The first medal was won in Jakarta in 2018, when Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra also claimed bronze. Winning a medal at the Asian Games is a formidable challenge given the presence of powerhouses like China, Japan, and South Korea.
The partnership between Manush and Diya has gone from strength to strength since they teamed up in October 2023. While it is common for players to switch partners due to scheduling demands on the WTT tour, Manush and Diya have consistently stuck with each other.
Left-hander Manush and right-hander Diya complement each other’s playing styles effectively; Manush relies on a powerful game from both flanks, while Diya focuses on creating opportunities to finish off points. This medal comes during a stellar phase in Manush’s career; he is currently India’s highest-ranked men’s singles player, holding the world number 43 spot.
After securing a podium finish at the Asian Games, Manush and Diya, who are supported by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), will now focus on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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