From Federer to Ma Long: Sharath Kamal's Olympic Journey

Indian table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal reflects on the most memorable moments from his five Olympic appearances. From dining encounters with Roger Federer to battling Ma Long, Sharath recounts key experiences that have shaped his illustrious career and hopes for table tennis growth in India.

Indian table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal has reminisced about the most unforgettable moments from his five Olympic appearances, ranging from dining encounters with tennis icon Roger Federer to taking a set off Chinese superstar Ma Long. As India's torchbearer for the Paris Olympics, Sharath aims for another impactful participation.

At 42, the multiple-time Commonwealth Games gold-medalist helped the Indian men's team qualify for the Olympics for the first time, marking what might be his final appearance. 'Qualifying as a team could become a growth catalyst for Indian table tennis,' he asserted.

Sharath vividly remembered his debut Games in 2004, where he bumped into Federer in the dining hall. 'I didn't recognize him at first with his hair let loose. When it struck me it was Federer, I felt shy but managed to eat at the same table,' he recounted. Sharath also faced pandemic-related training hardships but managed to challenge Ma Long at Tokyo 2020.