Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Jammu & Kashmir has achieved a historic milestone in table tennis as Ritvik Gupta clinched the Under-17 Boys National Title at the UTT 87th Inter-State Junior and Youth National Table Tennis Championships, organized under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
The prestigious championship was held at the New Multipurpose Hall in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, where top young paddlers from across the country competed for national honours. In the highly anticipated final, Ritvik Gupta faced Sarthak Arya of Odisha in a thrilling rematch that lived up to expectations.
Demonstrating exceptional grit, composure and tactical brilliance, Ritvik Gupta emerged victorious in a hard-fought seven-game encounter, defeating Sarthak Arya by 4-3 with scores of 11-8, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7. The match witnessed intense rallies and shifting momentum, with both players displaying high levels of skill and determination. Ritvik held his nerve in the decisive moments, tightening his defence and capitalizing on key errors to seal the title.
With this victory, Ritvik Gupta has scripted history by becoming the first player from Jammu & Kashmir to win a National Championship title in the Under-17 Boys category. His achievement marks a major breakthrough for the Union Territory in the sport of table tennis.
The success of Ritvik Gupta is being seen as a testament to his relentless dedication, disciplined training, and the growing sports ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. The role of the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has been widely acknowledged for its continuous support in nurturing young talent and providing opportunities at the national level.
Officials also credited the coaching staff for their tireless efforts and guidance, which played a crucial role in shaping Ritvik Gupta’s journey to the top. This remarkable achievement is expected to inspire thousands of young paddlers across the Union Territory to take up the sport and strive for excellence at the national and international levels.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
