In an exhilarating finale of the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, Goa Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai and Yangzi Liu, secured their second consecutive title with a commanding 8-2 victory over Dabang Delhi TTC. The final, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Saturday, marked a historic moment as Goa became the first team to successfully defend their UTT crown.
Dramatic season for Goa Challengers
Goa’s journey to the final was anything but easy. The defending champions narrowly made it to the semi-finals, clinching the fourth spot in the league standings after a series of hard-fought matches. Despite the odds, the team found their rhythm when it mattered most, coming out strong in the final against the 2018 champions, Dabang Delhi.
Harmeet Desai and Yangzi Liu shine bright
Harmeet Desai set the tone for the title clash, securing a crucial 2-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-6) victory over Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in the opening men’s singles match. His efforts earned him the title of Indian Player of the Tie. Desai’s leadership, combined with the brilliance of Yangzi Liu, was pivotal in Goa’s success. Yangzi, who remained undefeated throughout the season, was named Foreign Player of the Tie and the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) among the women.
Yangzi’s dominance was on full display as she delivered a 3-0 (11-2, 11-10, 11-9) victory over Orawan Paranang, further extending Goa’s lead.
Recognition for Top Performers: Ultimate Table Tennis 2024
Beyond the final, individual accolades were handed out. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran was named the MVP among the men, while Alvaro Robles of PBG Bengaluru Smashers took home the IndianOil Super Server of the League award.
Achanta Sharath Kamal was recognised for the DafaNews Shot of the League, and the duo of Lily Zhang and Yashini Sivashankar won the ACT Fibernet Fastest Rally of the League award.
Scores Overview
- Harmeet Desai bt Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 2-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-6)
- Yangzi Liu bt Orawan Paranang 3-0 (11-2, 11-10, 11-9)
- Harmeet Desai/Yangzi Liu vs Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Orawan Paranang 2-1 (9-11, 11-8, 11-9)
- Mihai Bobocica vs Andreas Levenko 1-0 (11-7)
Goa Challengers’ emphatic victory cements their place in UTT history, as they look to continue their dominance in the coming seasons.
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