Telangana men's team creates history, settle for bronze at the UTT 81st Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championships

Hyderabad: The Telangana men's team ended their medal drought by winning a bronze medal at the UTT 81st Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championships held at Saroornagar Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.

The hosts lost 3-0 to defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) in the semifinals to satisfy with a third place. The erstwhile Andhra Pradesh won a bronze medal 45 years ago.

The youth national champion S Fidel R Snehit, who played a key role in the team's march to semi, managed to win only a set against the nine-time national champion Achanta Sharath Kamal. Barring this, it was a completely one side affair in the semis.

Earlier, the Telangana team upset the strongest Tamil Nadu team 3-1 in the quarterfinals and ensured a medal.

"Feeling very happy to bag a medal after a long gap. It is not a mean achievement given the high standard of the game throughout the country.

We congratulate the winners," the Telangana State TT Association President and Telangana Bar Council Chairman A Narasimha Reddy and secretary P Prakash Raju said.