Table Tennis is a global sport and is quite popular in Mysuru. Mysuru has been from time to time producing talented Table Tennis players in all levels who have gone on to represent the Country in various championships. Our city’s young Table Tennis champ Akshay Mahanta has been consistently performing well in the State-level and has also represented the State in the National level. He recently took part in the State Youth Boys team in the 76th National Junior and Youth Table Tennis Championships held at Aleppy, Kerala and was part of the team which won the bronze medal. He is our Star This Week.

Akshay Mahanta is a student of SBRR Mahajana FGC in our city and is the son of National athlete K.G. Kavitha (LIC, Mysuru) and late Prashanth Mahanta. City’s Akshay Mahanta and Vedanth M. Urs were part of the Karnataka Youth Boys team which won bronze medal in the Youth Boys section.

The team, comprising Akshay Mahanta, Shreyal Telang, R.B. Sushmith and Vedanth M. Urs, representing Karnataka, lost to Delhi in the semi-finals 2-3 ensuring themseleves a bronze medal in the process.

In the recent C.V.L. Sastry State Ranking TT Tournament in Bengaluru, Akshay Mahanta performed well. Akshay lost in the semi-finals in the Youth Boys Singles to Shreyal Telang. Shreyal beat Akshay 13-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3 to progress to the title round.

In the State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament conducted by Rovers Club at Shivamogga, Akshay Mahanta finished runner-up in the Men’s Singles and Youth Boys Singles event.

Vedanth won the Men’s Singles title beating Akshay Mahanta of Mysuru 11-8; 11-9; 7-11; 2-11; 8-11; 11-8; 11-6 in the final.

Vedanth won the Youth Boys Singles title by once again by beating Akshay Mahanta in the final 11-6; 12-14; 8-11; 11-8; 13-11; 12-10. In the Men’s Singles semi-finals, Akshay beat Karan 11-8; 13-11; 7-11; 11-4; 11-9, to progress to the title round.

Akshay is an attacking player and impresses with his deft touches. He also played for Canara Bank and helped them win the team championship title in the State-level Tournament held recently.

Akshay Mahanta has represented Karnataka State in the Sub-Junior and Junior level and has been making a steady progress in his overall game. He needs to be consistent in the higher level to make a mark in the National level. Hope this talented youngster works hard in the days to come and does well in the National level.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports  News /  Sunday , December 21st, 2014