Sharath Kamal

Sharath Kamal, born on July twelfth, nineteen eighty-two, is a distinguished Indian former table tennis player renowned for his remarkable achievements in the sport. Over his illustrious career, he secured the title of national champion ten times, showcasing his dominance in Indian table tennis. His accolades include the prestigious Padma Shri, awarded in two thousand nineteen, and the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor, received in two thousand twenty-two.

Sharath's international prowess was evident when he triumphed over world-class players such as Joo Se Hyuk and Chuang Chih-yuan during the twenty-eighth Asian Cup in Jaipur in two thousand fifteen. His journey in the Commonwealth Championships was equally impressive, where he clinched gold in two thousand four and again in the two thousand six Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, defeating the local favorite William Henzell in the final. He also contributed to the team event victory against Singapore.

In two thousand ten, he partnered with Subhajit Saha to secure the doubles gold at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. His performance in the two thousand eighteen Commonwealth Games was stellar, earning him three medals: gold in the men's team event, silver in men's doubles, and bronze in men's singles.

Sharath qualified for the two thousand sixteen Rio Olympics after a notable victory against Iran's Noshad Alamian in the Asian Olympic qualification, although he faced a first-round exit in the men's individual event. An alumnus of PSBB Nungambakkam school and Loyola College in Chennai, he balances his sports career with a professional role as an officer at the Indian Oil Corporation. He announced his retirement from competitive table tennis in two thousand twenty-five.