WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 will be the final tournament for Indian Table Tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal before retirement.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin unveiled the stunning WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 trophy marking the official start of the tournament. The ceremony set the stage for an action-packed week as top global paddlers prepare to battle for glory at the city’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
Achanta Sharath Kamal was also present alongside the Deputy CM. Other dignitaries in attendance included Dr. Atulya Misra IAS (Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development), Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS (Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu), Thiru Deepak Malik (Co-founder & COO, Stupa Sports Analytics), and Thiru Ekansh Gupta (CEO, Ultimate Table Tennis).
Organised by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) under the TTFI, the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 promises thrilling action, with players battling for 600 ranking points, USD 275,000 prize purse and the Indian Oil Trophy.
With 158 players from around the world, including eight Olympic medalists and some of the sport’s biggest stars, Chennai is set to witness world-class Table Tennis action from March 25-31, 2025.
Leading the international charge at the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025are Tomokazu Harimoto (#3, MS, Japan) and Hina Hayata (#5, WS, Japan). Both of then are Olympic medalists, who come in as the top seeds in the men’s and women’s singles events.
They will be joined by a stellar lineup of medalists, including Miwa Harimoto (#6, WS, Japan), Shin Yu-bin (#10, WS, South Korea), Cheng I-Ching (#11, WS, Chinese Taipei), Doo Hoi Kem (#36, WS, Hong Kong), Lee Eun-hye (#39, WS, South Korea), and Lim Jong-hoon (#43, MS, South Korea).
For the first time ever, an Indian men’s doubles pair is the top-seeded entry at a WTT Star Contender event. Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar, fresh off a semi-final finish at WTT Star Contender Doha 2025, will look to capitalize on home advantage. In mixed doubles, Diya Chitale and Manush Shah will be aiming for a deep run as the fourth-seeded pair.
A record-breaking 19 Indian players have secured direct entries and wildcards for the main draw—the highest-ever for the country at this level. In total, 82 Indian paddlers (35 men and 47 women) will compete across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, setting a new benchmark for India’s participation in international table tennis.
