Ayhika Mukherjee had a rather audacious request to her teammates and coach a night before the Indian women's team was to begin its 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships campaign against top seeds China.
"I said to them that I want to play Sun Yingsha. Please put me with her if possible and plan the strategy in a way that I can play with her," Ayhika says.
Sun Yingsha is the world's topranked women's singles player, the best among the Chinese and someone who had never been beaten in this tournament. Most players would be quietly glad to avoid crossing her path. Ayhika instead asked for exactly that.
"Because she is the best in the world-what else could be more exciting and challenging," she says, smiling. The eagerness to fight in the mind translated into execution to win on the table. The Indian, ranked 155 in singles, produced one of the most remarkable results of the prestigious team event in stunning the world No. 1 in the opening rubber 3-1.
That, along with Sreeja Akula getting past No. 2 Wang Yidi in a 3-2 defeat to the eventual champions, set the tone for the Indian women's outing in the team Worlds. It ended with a Round of 16 finish and them being on the doorsteps of the Paris Olympics berth through the rankings quota.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Backing queer love stories in cinema is liberating: Onir
Filmmaker Onir's latest project, We Are Faheem and Karun, is a queer love story set against the backdrop of Gurez, Jammu and Kashmir.
Terence Lewis reveals why Saroj Khan, Farah Khan were 'more aggressive' than male choreographers
When it comes to the field of choreography in Bollywood, there have been only a handful of women choreographers. Two names that instantly come to mind are the late choreographer Saroj Khan and choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan.
Lucknow kids' reimagine Sabya's bridal collection; earn cheers from B'wood
Underprivileged kids from Lucknow reimagine Sabyasachi's bridal designs
Zendaya and Anne Hathaway join Christopher Nolan's next
Hollywood actors Zendaya and Oscar winner Anne Hathaway are the latest additions to the cast of director Christopher Nolan's upcoming feature film.
'Comedy is enjoyable but not easy to do'
Actor Aftab Shivdasani has had a good run in comedy films, with notable performances in Hungama (2003), Masti (2004) and Deewane Huye Paagal (2005). So, it's no surprise that he is excited to return to the genre with Welcome To The Jungle.
ARMAAN MALIK ON HIS THIRD EMA NOD: IT FEELS SURREAL
Singer-songwriter Armaan Malik is ecstatic that he has received a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) for his song Always with British singer Calum Scott in the Best India Act category.
'A crossover between The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Real Housewives of NY is in the works'
Reality TV star Jessel Taank, the first Indian to feature in The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), was in Mumbai recently. Talking about her weeklong visit, she shares, \"India's so exciting-economically and culturally - it's imploding. What drew me to India is the fact that I am labelled as the first Indian on RHONY and that's a big compliment. Yet, I feel a disconnect.\"
Ricky Kej beams with joy after fourth Grammy nomination
Musician Ricky Kej is thrilled to receive his fourth Grammy nomination. Having won the prestigious award in 2015, 2022 and 2023, his excitement remains as palpable as his first nomination.
A new innings begins for Athiya and Rahul
Actor Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul are set to embrace parenthood in 2025, as they joyfully announced their pregnancy on Friday.
Sonu Sood is the Brand Ambassador and Tourism Advisor for Thailand
Sonu Sood, already celebrated as both an actor and philanthropist, has added another prestigious title to his name: Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor for Thailand.
