Manav Thakkar becomes world no. 1 in table tennis U-21 category

In the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, Indian paddler Manav Thakkar jumped nine places to become the world no.1 in the Under-21 category.

The 19-year-old, on Thursday (December 2) achieved the feat after winning the U-21 men’s singles title at the ITTF Challenge Plus Benemax-Virgo North American Open in Markham, Canada in December last year.

The youngster beat Argentina’s Martin Bentancor 11-3 11-5 11-6 to win the crown and thus became the fourth Indian to achieve the feat after Harmeet Desai, G Sathiyan and Soumyajit Ghosh.

Also read: Sathiyan owns 2019 after taking over table tennis veteran Sharath

Thakkar, who was a part of the Indian men’s team which won a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, was also world no. 1 in the Under-18 category in February last year.

Among other Indians, G Sathiyan managed to retain his 30th spot in the senior category, while the table tennis veteran A Sharath Kamal climbed a spot to 33rd position in the world rankings.

Manika Batra, who is the top woman paddler of the country, remained static at the 61st position.

Also watch: Indian paddlers on the cusp of 2020 Olympic qualification

(With inputs from agencies)