WTT Feeder Chennai 2026: Indian paddlers look to make numerical advantage count

FILE PHOTO: In men’s singles, the spotlight is likely to fall on Ankur Bhattacharjee, one of India’s most exciting young paddlers. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

India will have brute strength in numbers—and the seedings to match—when the five-day World Table Tennis Feeder gets underway at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University near Chennai on Wednesday. The host will look to turn the advantage into a rich medal haul, though the foreign paddlers--there are quite a few--will be eager to upset the applecart.

The qualifying rounds will be on October 28 and 29, followed by the main draw.

India has seeded players in all five categories—men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The host, however, does not hold the top seed in two events: Japan’s Sachi Aoki (World ranked 58) leads the women’s singles field, while Aoki and compatriot Saki Shibata are the top seeds in women’s doubles.

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The spotlight is likely to fall on Ankur Bhattacharjee, one of India’s most exciting young paddlers. The 19-year-old, ranked No. 73 in the world, has enjoyed an impressive year, winning the WTT Feeder men’s singles title in Olomouc (Czechia), finishing runner-up in Puerto Princesa (Philippines) and reaching the semifinals in Prishtina (Kosovo) and Istanbul. The reigning Commonwealth champion is confident of adding another singles title and a doubles title with Akash Pal where the pair is the No.1 seed.

“I am mentally and physically at my best, and I feel I can win here, too,” Ankur, the No.3 seed, told Sportstar. Manav Thakkar (WR 49), the No.1 seed, G. Sathiyan (85) and Harmeet Desai (101) will be Ankur’s main challengers.

In the absence of Yashaswini Ghorparde in women’s singles, who pulled out on Tuesday morning, Divyanshi Bhowmick, the third seed (WR 111) will be eyeing her second Feeder crown.