Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula claim gold in mixed doubles TT

The Indian paddlers dominated their way in the finals at Commonwealth Games.

The Indian table tennis pair of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula won gold in the mixed doubles event of the Commonwealth Games 2022. The Indian pair beat the Malaysian pair of Javen Choong and Karen Lyne 3-1 to stand atop the podium.

Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula won the first game 11-4. The Malaysian pair pipped the Indians 11-9 in the second game. In the third and fourth games, the Indian pair completely dominated their opponents to win both games; 11-5 and 11-6 respectively. There was no need for the fifth and the final game as Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula had already taken an unassailable lead of 3-1.

Earlier in the day, Sreeja Akula lost her bronze medal match in the women’s singles event. The paddler from Hyderabad gave it her all as the match went down to the wire. Yet, her opponent Yangzi Liu of Australia managed to bag the bronze 4-3. 

On the other hand, Achanta Sharath Kamal paired up with Gnanasekaran Sathiyan to secure the silver in the men’s doubles event. The English pair of Liam Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall edged past the Indian duo as the final scoreline read 3-2. In the semifinals of the men's singles event, Achanta Sharath Kamal outclassed Paul Drinkhall of England 4-2 to secure his final berth. Achanta will square off against Liam Pitchford in the gold medal match.

Sreeja Akula - The rising star

Sreeja Akula, only 24, has made a name for herself. It was her maiden CWG experience in Birmingham in 2022. Currently, she is India’s number one player in women’s singles. She became national champion for the first time this very year. Sreeja partnered with him to win his first-ever CWG medal in the mixed doubles event - Gold at Birmingham 2022.

A student of accounts, Sreeja is employed as an assistant manager in the Reserve Bank of India.