Indian table tennis has reached a monumental milestone with Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick achieving the World No. 1 ranking in the latest ITTF Under-19 Girls’ Doubles World Rankings. This historic feat marks a new era for the sport in India, highlighting the country's growing prowess in youth development.
The Indian duo secured the top spot with an impressive 3910 points, surpassing strong competition from Chinese Taipei's Wu Jia-En and Wu Ying-Syuan (3195 points) and France's Leana Hochart and Nina Guo Zheng (3170 points). Their journey to the summit is a testament to their consistent performance and dedication on both national and international stages.
Syndrela and Divyanshi's ascent is attributed to their outstanding performances in several significant tournaments. They clinched gold medals at the WTT Youth Contender in Goa and the WTT Youth Star Contender in Tunis. Additionally, they secured semifinal finishes at the WTT Youth Contender events in Berlin and Lima, further solidifying their position as top contenders.
In addition to Syndrela and Divyanshi's achievement, six Indian girls have broken into the top 100 of the world doubles rankings for the first time. This underscores the country's steady progress in nurturing young table tennis talent. Taneesha Kotecha and Sayali Wani are ranked 13th with 1575 points after impressive performances at the Asian Youth Championships and WTT Youth Contender Doha. Suhana Saini and Shriya Anand hold the 22nd position with 875 points, following their silver medal win at the South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships. Suhana Saini and Taneesha Kotecha, a newly formed pairing, are ranked 31st with 620 points after finishing as runners-up at the WTT Youth Contender Jaipur. Al Lis Gan and Stuti Kashyap are ranked 34th with 565 points, owing to their strong performances in Southeast Asian competitions, while Kheith Cruz and Vaishnavi Jaiswal share the 36th spot with the same score, reflecting their consistent results in the youth circuit.
Divyanshi Bhowmick's individual achievements also deserve recognition. The 14-year-old from Kolkata recently showcased her talent at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Podgorica, where she secured a silver medal in the U15 girls' singles and a gold medal in the U19 girls' doubles alongside Syndrela Das. Her performance in the U15 singles final against Japan's Kokomi Ishida was particularly noteworthy, with the young athlete displaying skill, mental strength, and maturity beyond her years.
Looking ahead, Divyanshi is preparing for the 2025 World Youth Championships in Romania, aiming to secure a medal in singles and improve upon her 2023 doubles silver. Her combination of technique, temperament, intelligence, and intensity positions her as a promising figure in Indian table tennis.
The historic No. 1 ranking of Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick, along with the success of other young Indian players, signals a bright future for table tennis in the country. These achievements will inspire future generations of athletes and further elevate India's status in the global table tennis arena.
