The Indian women’s team made history by securing a monumental bronze medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. This is country’s first-ever medal in the women’s team category. During the semifinals, India registered a 1-3 loss to Japan while in the other semifinal, China lost to Hong Kong by 3-0. In this competition, both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze medals.

In the semifinals, Ayhika Mukherjee lost to Miwa Harimoto in a tightly contested opening singles game by 2-3. Manika Batra however brought back India into the tie with a 3-0 win over Satsuki Odo. In the next game, Suthirtha Mukherjee lost to Mima Ito by 3-0 and Harimoto won against Manika 3-1 to win the tie for Japan.

India had confirmed its medal with a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea in the quarterfinals yesterday.

The Indian men’s team entered the semi-finals following a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan securing a medal. Manav Thakkar gave India a winning start, recording a straight-game victory over Kirill Gerassimenko in the opening game.

The team will next take on the winner of the quarter-final between Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.