MUMBAI: Sreeja Akula remembers December 2023 as a period of frustration. She had struggled to win matches in the main draw of table tennis tour events. And her target of breaking into the top 50 in world rankings remained a hurdle too high—she spent most of the season lingering in the 80s and 90s.
A year on, Akula is looking back at a season where she competed beyond expectations. She won three tour events, including a WTT Contender title—the first Indian to achieve that.
She beat China's then world No. 2 Wang Yidi at the Team World Championships, and was a part of the Indian women's team that medalled at the Asian Championships for the first time, claiming bronze.
Along the way, she became only the second Indian to reach the round of 16 in singles at the Paris Olympics.
To top it all, she reached a career high of 21—the best-ever ranking achieved by an Indian in singles. "This time last year I was very unhappy with my performance," she told HT.
This story is from the January 01, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
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 January 01, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
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
Varanasi concert row: Monali Thakur reacts to sexual harassment claims
Just around 15 days after singer-actor Monali Thakur shut down her show in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) over poor management, she has broken her silence on the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against her and her crew by the show organisers.
We Need to Talk About Young Girls' Food Depression
Actor Rakul Preet Singh expresses concern over how a number of young girls are becoming anorexic and bulimic to meet tough beauty standards
Cummins, the pace spearhead
World's Top Bowlers Since Cummins Became Skipper
Agarkar To Brief Selectors Ahead Of BCCI Meet On Sunday
The selection committee will be in full attendance for the knockout rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-dayers in Vadodara, which start with the pre-quarter finals on Thursday.
Djokovic: At his happy hunting ground, with an old foe in tow
The Serbian has worked with Becker, Agassi and Ivanisevic. In Murray he has access to the mind of a master tactician
Olympic champs Axelsen, An top the field for India Open
Reigning Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se Young will be among the star attractions at the latest iteration of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open that kicks off in capital's Indira Gandhi Stadium next week.
Indian hockey players bonding with the best in relaunched HIL
Skipper Sumit Walmiki and Australian Tim Brand walked to the dugout, shared a laugh and high-fived after Hyderabad Toofans' practice. Nearby, an awe-struck Amandeep Lakra was listening with rapt attention to Gonzalo Peillat as Germany's drag-flick legend gave the Indian youngster tips to take PCs.
Shooter Tomar Finds Fresh High After Domestic Double
Varun Tomar's dream of representing India at the Paris Olympics was crushed when he lost in the domestic selection trials to pick the final squad.
Neeraj to star in a world javelin event in India
India's two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra will be the star attraction in a marquee international javelin tournament at home later this year, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said on Tuesday.
Cloud over review of 14-yr-old trade pact with Asean
THE REVIEW HAS STALLED SINCE INDIA'S OFFER OF A UNIFIED DUTY STRUCTURE HAS NOT FOUND FAVOUR AMONG ASEAN MEMBERS
