Advertisement
Sharath was on Wednesday named captain of the Indian men’s team for the Asian Championships in Astana next month.
Speaking to PTI, India’s flag-bearer at the Paris Olympics said he would also be competing in the China Smash later this month before travelling to Kazakhstan for the Asian Championships beginning October 7.
The highest ranked Indian at 37 is also aiming to play in the 2025 World Championships in Doha.
Related Articles
Advertisement
Sharath is the first Indian to be elected into the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) athletes’ commission. He is also part of the athletes’ body in the Indian Olympic Association and in future, he is aiming for a seat on the athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee.
He ruled out competing in the 2028 Olympics but the 2026 Asian Games remains a possibility.
“I would like to take a call on the Asian Games next year. The body is holding up fine post the Olympics. I got some time off and UTT is in Chennai. I am able to balance personal life as well,” said Sharath, who is currently busy with Ultimate Table Tennis League.
Sharath and the Indian team did not have the best of times in the Paris Olympics.
Sharath exited the individual events early before India, playing the team championship for the first time, could not do much against the mighty China in the pre-quarterfinals.