Olympic qualifiers: Paddlers’ London dreams shattered

Doha: The London dreams of Achanta Sharath Kamal, Athony Amalraj and Poulomi Ghatak lay shattered after they failed to move into the round of 16 at World Olympic Qualification championships here.

In effect, only two Indians—Soumyajit Ghosh and Ankita Das—will figure at the London Games later this year. The two Siliguri teenagers qualified from the continental quotas after they became the highest ranked players in South Asia region.

Despite reaching the main draw yesterday, the three Indian paddlers lost to their opponents convincingly and will now fight for places between 17 and 20. There are 16 players in fray for the four slots and it will be interesting to know where the Indians finish.

It was a bad day at office for the Indians as first Amalraj tasted defeat against Matis Burgis of Lativa in straight games. Burgis won 11-4, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 and 45 minutes later, Yang Wang of Slovakia’s defencive tactics brooked no challenge from Achanta Sharath Kamal. The Slovakian won 12-10, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7.

With only pride to play for, Amalraj will take on Great Britain’s Liam Pitchford while Sharath Kamal will meet Sas Lasan later tonight.

In a late match on Friday night Ghatak lost to Taipei’s Chia-Hui Lin 2-4 (9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 4-11) to be pushed out of top ladder. She will later tonight play against Barbora Balazova for positions 17-20.

Coach Bhawani Mukherjee admitted, it was unfortunate that the paddlers could not live their dreams. “Sharath had a good chance against the Slovak. But things didn’t work his way,” he said.