Rising Star Syndrela Das Celebrates 17th Birthday with Dual Triumph at National Ranking Championships

KOLKATA – Rising table tennis sensation Syndrela Das proved that age is just a number as she marked her 17th birthday in spectacular fashion, securing a historic double victory at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Kanpur this past Sunday.

While many teenagers prefer to spend their birthdays surrounded by family and friends, Das spent her day at the table, displaying remarkable stamina and mental fortitude. Over the course of the tournament’s final day, the Bengal prodigy played seven high-stakes matches without conceding a single defeat—a testament to her grueling preparation ahead of her international debut.

A Birthday to Remember

The young paddler, who is slated to make history as the youngest Indian athlete at the upcoming Asian Games, clinched both the Under-19 and women’s singles titles, cementing her status as the rising force in Indian table tennis.

Her path to the women’s final was fraught with difficulty. In a grueling semifinal encounter against PSPB’s Swastika Ghosh, Das was pushed to the brink. Trailing 4-7 in the deciding seventh game, she mounted a spirited comeback to win 11-9, securing a 4-3 victory (11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9) that showcased her elite composure under pressure.

Clashing with Rivals

In the women’s final, Das faced her domestic rival and close friend, Divyanshi Bhowmick of Maharashtra. The match was a seesaw battle of technical skill and endurance. After dropping the opening game 9-11, Das clawed her way back to take the next two. Bhowmick leveled the match at 2-2 with a dominant fourth-game performance, but Das regained her rhythm to seal the title with an 11-7, 11-9 finish in the final two games.

Earlier in the day, the U-19 final proved a more straightforward affair for the Bengal star, where she dismantled Tamil Nadu’s Ananya Muralidharan 4-1 (11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4).

Looking Toward the Asian Games

Coming off a strong performance at the Senior Nationals in Indore this past March, where she finished as the runner-up, these back-to-back victories serve as the perfect momentum-builder for Das. As she prepares to join the Indian contingent for the Asian Games, the sporting community is watching closely, eager to see how the teenager will perform on the continental stage.

Final Results Summary:

• Women’s Singles Final: Syndrela Das (WB) def. Divyanshi Bhowmick (Mah) 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9.
• Youth Girls U-19 Singles Final: Syndrela Das (WB) def. Ananya Muralidharan (TN) 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4.