Sathiyan, Sarthak felicitated
September 4, 2017
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/sathiyan-sarthak-felicitated/article19617362.ece
Raman High Performance Table Tennis Centre felicitated its wards G. Sathiyan and Sarthak Gandhi for consistent performance at a function here on Saturday.
The Centre, run by former National champion S. Raman, rewarded Sathiyan with Rs. 20,000 and Sarthak Rs. 25,000.
Sathiyan is India’s No.1 player, having won the inter-institutional and Central Zone National-ranking titles. At the International level, the 24-year-old made a mark by entering the top 100 (he is ranked 90) in the World with wins over higher-ranked players in the Australia Open Pro Tour and reaching a historic men’s doubles final (with Soumyajit Ghosh) in the Bulgaria Open.
Sarthak made his first-ever Pro Tour final in the Nigeria Open ITTF Challenge last month as a qualifier. Ranked 356 in the World, the 23-year-old defeated a few higher-ranked players, notable among them being World No. 45 Li Ping of Qatar.
Sathiyan and Sarthak credited their rise to Raman. “He (Raman) has changed our game literally from scratch,” Sathiyan and Sarthak said.
According to Sarthak, who joined the Centre last August, the Nigeria Open final was the biggest achievement of his career.
“I owe everything to Raman sir. He changed my entire game — my movements, technique. I am more consistent now,” said Sarthak, whose Polish Open trip will be sponsored by the Centre.
Sathiyan joined Raman in 2012 and, since then, his stock has risen consistently. “He (Raman) has consistently pushed me, set new targets, and ensured that I never stagnated by giving me new goals,” said Sathiyan.
Raman said Sathiyan and Sarthak have the ability to do better, and wished them the best. He also thanked R. Natarajan, director of India Sports Promotion Academy, for handling his wards’ fitness programmes.
Alok Gulecha, chairman, Anmol Shrusti Developers, was the chief guest.
