Asian Games: Sharath Kamal and Manika win historic bronze

Jakarta: Indian paddlers Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra lost in the semifinals of mixed doubles at the Asian Games here on Wednesday, but ended with a historic bronze medal for the country from the event.

Sharath Kamal and Commonwealth Games champion Manika, who went down to China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha 9-11, 5-11, 13-11, 4-11,8-11, became the first Indian pair to pick up a medal from the sport at the Games.

Sharath Kamal and Manika had rallied to down North Korea’s Cha Hyo Sim and An Ji Song 4-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8 in the quarterfinals to ensure themselves of a medal.

Sharath Kamal, for long the torch-bearer of Indian table tennis, was also part of the men’s team which won a first-ever medal from the sport in the continental spectacle as it qualified for the semifinals before losing to South Korea.

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