State’s top paddler eyes consistency

The trainee of Chennai Table Tennis Foundation (CTTF) had played in all nine state tournaments last year, reaching the final in five. 

In the season’s first state ranking tournament, that gets underway here on Friday, Nikhil has been awarded the top seeding in the men’s category. “This is the first time I have been given the top billing. There is a bit of pressure when a player starts a season as the top-ranked player as the expectations are high. I must admit that it would be a challenge to stay on top as the challenges from peers are growing day by day,” Nikhil said.

With a gruelling season beckoning, the Loyola College student hoped that he would mature as a player as the year goes on. “I would rate myself seven out of 10 in technical play. There are many experienced players who I would be locking horns with. The experience that I am going to gather would be vital to shape my career in the game,” he added.

Having upped the ante in training sessions over the last few weeks, the 19-yearold has made adjustments to his game too. “The intensity with which I am training has increased manifold. I am working on my receiving, tackling the top-spin and my movements on the table. I hope these adjustments are for the better in my quest for sustenance at the top,” the Chennai paddler said. 

However, there is a nemesis in the form of Sushmit Sriram, seeded second, for Nikhil. He has played against Sriram 10 times at least and Nikhil had ended up on the wrong side of the result on all occasions. “It is something that I want to change this year. I have analysed and it is a mental block that prevents me from capitalising and grabbing key moments in the game. Our matches have stretched to the deciders and I feel by keeping my emotions and excitement under check, I can change the result,” Nikhil said.

A rotatory muscle problem in his shoulder has kept Nikhil away from the table for a couple of months but the paddler is hoping to be back with a bang. His goals for the new season are simple. “I am targeting to be consistent and finish in the top-16 in the country to boost my chances of playing for India,” he said. 

More than 1000 entries, a record for a state ranking tournament, have been received for the first state ranking tournament commencing at the Nehru Stadium today. S Nikhil is the top seed in the men’s category while Amrutha Pushpak has got the top billing in the women’s category. 

The final will be held on June 5. The prize money is Rs. 92,000 and will be awarded to the top 16 players in each category.