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The 42-year-old multiple-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist shared an emotional note on social media announcing his impending retirement from the sport after an glorious career.
Achanta Sharath Kamal. (X)
Legendary Indian Table Tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal announced that he would pull the curtains down on his illustrious career at the end of the WTT Star Contender event in his hometown Chennai later in the month.
The 42-year-old multiple-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist shared a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with the caption, “The WTT Star Contender in Chennai later this month will be my final professional event, after which I will continue to serve the sport off the table. As they say, life comes a full circle.”
The WTT Star Contender in Chennai later this month will be my final professional event, after which I will continue to serve the sport off the table. As they say, life comes a full circle! 🙏🏽🏓 pic.twitter.com/sVcg0laXlC— Sharath Kamal OLY (@sharathkamal1) March 5, 2025
“Let’s start 40 years ago, when I was two years old. That’s when I held a racket in my hand for the first time, not knowing it would become my longest-standing companion,” the post read.
“Not saying I’m letting it go completely, but this is certainly the end for us on the big tables, in front of the big crowds. Time to give my bandana and racket some rest,” he added.
“Grateful beyond words-for all the joy, for all the love, for all the pain, for all the lessons, and for all the people this sport has given me. Every little piece will stay with me always,” the star paddler continued.
“And so, five Olympics later, 10 National Championship titles in hand, international medals, and the honour of wearing the India jersey for so long- it’s tough to imagine what life will be like when I’m not playing table tennis,” the star from the Tamil Nadu capital said.
The event is slated to be held between the 25th and 30th of March in Chennai.
“But now, I must reimagine it anyway. It’s fitting that my journey concludes where it all began -at home,” he added.
“Therefore, the WTT Star Contender in Chennai later this month will be my final professional event, after which I will continue to serve the sport off the table. As they say, life comes a full circle,” his post concluded.
