The year 2017 saw table tennis become the latest sport to have a franchise-based league in India. The league provided a perfect platform for top Indian paddlers to rub shoulders with the best in the world. A step in the right direction, CEAT UTT empowered a host of Indian players to make a mark on the world stage. Let’s have a look at some of the Table Tennis players nominated for the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2018.

Selena Selvakumar

The 17-year old Chennai sensation rose to prominence in 2017 catapulting up the rankings from a lowly 31 to fifth in the Girls’ rankings (Junior Girls). Selena lived up to her billing as she emerged as the most successful player on duty at the 2017 Egypt Junior and Cadet Open. Not one defeat against her name, the Chennai girl won three gold medals at the tournament that included the junior singles title and a double in the doubles category. Throughout the event, her grit and determination were apparent as she was pushed to the limits in the semifinal and final. The 17-year old paddler is now nominated for Emerging Player at TOISA 2018.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran became India’s highest-ranked player in the latest ITTF rankings surpassing the legendary Achanta Sharath Kamal. Currently ranked 49, Sathiyan is only the second Indian to break into the top-50. Just over a year ago, the Chennai player was placed at 111 in the world. The paddler was actively part of the international circuit in 2016 and represented India at the 2017 ITTF World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany. However, Sathiyan’s biggest achievement came at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open where he lifted the men’s singles trophy for the first time. Moreover he, along with Soumyajit Ghosh, became the first Indian pair to make it to the doubles final at an ITTF World Tour major series event at the Bulgarian Open. He was also the only Indian player to be undefeated in the CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis league last year. After a stellar 2017, Sathiyan is now targeting the Commonwealth Games and is nominated at TOISA 2018.

Soumyajit Ghosh

Ace paddler Soumyajit Ghosh along with Sathiyan, became the first ever Indian pair to make it to a men’s doubles final in an ITTF World Tour major series event at the Bulgarian Open. The duo came close to toppling the top-seeded Japanese pair of Jin Uda and Maharu Yoshimura. Apart from that, the 24-year old also won the ITTF Challenge Seamaster Chile Open doubles event along with Anthony Amalraj to produce a landmark win for India on the world stage. It was the first time that an Indian pair won a men’s doubles title at the ITTF Challenge series or the ITTF World Tour. Being a valued member of the Indian national team for over a decade, Soumyajit has been nominated at TOISA 2018 for his exemplary performances.

Mouma Das

Mouma Das along with counterpart Manika Batra, became the first Indian women’s pair to reach the final eight of the World Championships last year. The duo reached a world ranking of 12 in the latest ITTF rankings and are top amongst the 28 active Commonwealth countries. At the Düsseldorf World meet, the veteran paddler also became the highest-capped Asian player, appearing in as many as 16 matches. Moreover, Mouma and Manika also went on to win a silver at the ITTF Challenge Spanish Open late last year. The 33-year old is now nominated at TOISA 2018.

Manika Batra

Top ranked women’s table tennis player in the country, Manika Batra had a mixed 2017, only by the high standards she has set for herself. While she created history along with counterpart, Mouma by becoming the first Indian pair to reach the quarterfinals of the World Championships last year, her singles rankings slipped outside the top-100. Manika’s dream run at the Worlds saw her doubles ranking rise to 12 in the latest ITTF rankings. The dynamic Delhi girl has now set her sights on the Commonwealth Games and is nominated at TOISA 2018.

Manav Thakkar

Manav Thakkar created history by becoming the first Indian paddler to top the ITTF Junior circuit. It was a much-needed boost for the boy from Surat after finishing runner-up at the 2017 Serbian Junior and Cadet Open. Earlier in the year, the youngster won the junior boys’ gold at the 2017 Slovenia and Cadet Open. He emerged as the most successful paddler in the competition claiming not only the singles title, but also the doubles crown and a silver medal in the team event. Manav has ensured himself a place in the ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals and is nominated at TOISA 2018.