Sharath Kamal injury: After feeling pain in his heel for over eight months, which worsened in the last three months, India’s No 1 male table tennis star A Sharath Kamal had to undergo a medical procedure on Monday and will now be taking rest for three weeks before getting back on to the table. Follow Live updates on InsideSport.IN
Also read: Archana Kamath: Young paddler striving for success, learning from Manika Batra to improve further
The pain had first reared its head just prior to the Olympics. At that time Sharath Kamal did not pay much heed and played on. It was at the Asian Championships that the pain became too much to bear. He had to bandage his heel and constant physio support was required.
Sharath Kamal: After 8 months of severe pain, CWG gold medallist decided to undergo minor operation, what next for paddler? Check details
That did not stop the Commonwealth Games gold medallist as he helped India clinch a historic bronze. With the World Championship coming up, the Padma Shri awardee kept delaying the inevitable and played on with painkillers.
Was experiencing severe heel pain since 8 months, that got worse in the last 3 months. Good to get treatment post #WorldChampionships now, with preparations starting soon for #CommonwealthGames, and #AsianGames in the coming year! pic.twitter.com/EvgVKxa3k1
— Sharath Kamal OLY (@sharathkamal1) December 13, 2021
“It had got to a point where I needed to treat the injury. I played on with the pain at the Asian Championships, the Worlds as well as the North Zone ranking meet. That aggravated the injury quite a bit. But now with the international calendar yet to be announced, this was the ideal opportunity to get the injury treated,” Sharath told InsideSport from Chennai.
The prognosis was extra calcium deposit in his heel which might happen when that area of the leg is under constant stress. The treatment included injecting fresh plasma into the affected area. Doctors have asked the 39-year-old to take complete bed rest for a minimum of one week and not return to serious training for a month.
Sharath Kamal: After 8 months of severe pain, CWG gold medallist decided to undergo minor operation, what next for paddler? Check details
“The plan is to take a one-week break. For at least a month, I need to work on my overall fitness. Not planning to put too much pressure on the affected area. Once I get the go-ahead, I will be returning to training.”
The injury will take a month to heal but the condition will not go away completely and it can reoccur. But Sharath is not worried. Regarding training, with no tournaments currently, he plans to go to Germany to train at his club Borussia Dusseldorf where he will get high-quality sparring.
“I will be careful and work smart. That is the plan. As for training, I plan to go to Germany as quality sparring will not be possible in India currently. But a lot depends on how the current Omicron situation evolves,” Sharath added.
Sharath Kamal: After 8 months of severe pain, CWG gold medallist decided to undergo minor operation, what next for paddler? Check details
With multiple medals at top international tournaments, Sharath remains one of the country’s finest players in his sport. His prowess was also in full display during his match against the mighty Ma Long in the men’s singles round of 32 match at the Tokyo Olympics.
He has nine national titles under his belt, and he made history by winning India’s first table tennis gold at the Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne in 2006.
The Asian Games and CWG are slated for next year in Hangzhou, China, and Birmingham respectively and that is the ultimate goal Sharath Kamal has in his mind and his calendar will be prepared smartly keeping those two high-profile events in mind.
Sharath Kamal: After 8 months of severe pain, CWG gold medallist decided to undergo minor operation, what next for paddler? Check details
