Sharath Kamal wins his tenth medal at the Commonwealth Games
Achanta Sharath Kamal exuded the strutting confidence of a jubilant parent as he made his way out of the ceremony with a medal of gold around his neck. He was the very first person to enter the backstage area. Without actually having to utter a single word, he communicated, "Look at what my lads and I have accomplished." He gives off the distinct impression of being a father figure: A decade older than everyone else on the Indian men's table tennis team (and over half a foot taller than anyone else on the team), who just won their second consecutive gold in the team event at the Commonwealth Games. This was the tenth medal he's won at the Commonwealth Games.
When asked about that incredible accomplishment, he stops for a moment. A glance downwards, followed by an impressively dramatic look back upwards. "Five gold," he says to us, flashing a slight smile in our direction. A smaller one first, before a larger one that will illuminate his face. "The other half is made of gold. Not bad. Not bad." Over the course of many years, he has served as India's most prominent representative of the sport. Across all five CWGs, the athlete won five gold medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals. The royal family of Indian sports.
The sport of table tennis in India has relied heavily on Sharath to pull it out of any hole it has dug for itself over the past several decades. This time, he was accompanied by someone else. In the decisive third match, which was played with the score tied at 1-1, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran battled back from an early disadvantage to win the match. Harmeet Desai completely destroyed his opponent in the fourth round, who was the same one who prevailed over Sharath. They had been 13 and 12 years old at the time that Sharath had accomplished his feats in 2006.
That's the issue, Sharath was the leader of the squad from the very beginning. the one that everyone put their money on. According to him, he has been performing that function ever from the very first time he wore the India name on his back up till the present day. The support act has not been this powerful until the year 2018, when it was first passed. The situation has improved to the point that he did not even have to compete in the doubles matches this time since Sathiyan and Harmeet took over and did not suffer a single defeat in Birmingham.
"Even when I faltered, they were like 'no problem, we can do it,'" he adds. "We were able to pull it off." That comment conveys a sense of both comfort and pride at the same time. After enduring hardship for such a long period of time, this team was his just reward. Aruna Quadri of Nigeria is ranked fifteenth in the world, and he was defeated by him in four intense games the day before. However, he had already done his part. He laughed as he said, "Yesterday I demonstrated to them how to dig deep."
Celebrations were held for the Indian men's table tennis team after they won the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal. You were able to spot Sharath in the midst of the group as he towered over the others as they all leaped together with exuberant delight. This time, though, all that is being provided is a straightforward explanation. Sharath is the happiest person I can think of regarding that.
They haven't completed everything either. There is a good chance that the ten medals will be increased to eleven or twelve. The doubles competition and the singles competition are just around the bend. Before bursting into laughter, he says, "Now we go and rejoice for a few hours," and then adds, "then it's just back to the grind."