NEW DELHI: Archana Kamath, who played a crucial role in leading India to the women’s table tennis team quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics, decided to leave the sport despite support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), and other sponsors. At 23 years old, she has opted to pursue her higher education abroad.
India’s women’s team achieved a historic milestone at the 2024 Olympics by advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time.However, their journey ended in the quarter-finals with a 1-3 loss to Germany. Archana Kamath secured the only win for India in that match but then announced her decision to retire from professional table tennis to focus on her academic career.
Anshul Garg, Archana’s coach, revealed their discussion after returning from Paris.
“I told her that it’s difficult. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. She’s ranked outside the top 100 in the world, but she improved so much in the past couple of months. But I think she had already made up her mind to go. And once she makes up her mind, it’s difficult to change it,” Garg said.
Archana’s Olympic journey was both impressive and challenging. Her selection was debated after she was chosen over Ayhika Mukherjee, who had defeated World No. 1 Sun Yingsha earlier. Nevertheless, Archana stayed focused and delivered a strong performance against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Her decision to quit was influenced by her passion for academics and her brother’s example, who works at NASA. Archana, who recently completed a Master’s degree in International Relations, Strategies, and Securities, expressed her interest in full-time studies.
“My brother works at NASA. He’s my idol, and he too encourages me to study. So I make the time to complete all my studies, and I enjoy it. I’m good at it too,” Archana had told The Indian Express earlier.
Her father, Girish Kamath, also discussed her decision, emphasizing her commitment to both table tennis and academics.
“Archana has always been academically oriented, and all along her TT career, she has pursued her studies, with a graduation in Economics and recently completing the requirements for a Master’s degree in International Relations, Strategies, and Securities. Having played table tennis with so much dedication and passion for more than 15 years, which culminated in her representing our country at the Olympics, she felt it was time for her to pursue her other passion—full-time studies. She has taken this difficult step with absolutely no regrets and after having given her best for the sport and the country,” he said.
India’s women’s team achieved a historic milestone at the 2024 Olympics by advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time.However, their journey ended in the quarter-finals with a 1-3 loss to Germany. Archana Kamath secured the only win for India in that match but then announced her decision to retire from professional table tennis to focus on her academic career.
Anshul Garg, Archana’s coach, revealed their discussion after returning from Paris.
“I told her that it’s difficult. It’s going to take a lot of hard work. She’s ranked outside the top 100 in the world, but she improved so much in the past couple of months. But I think she had already made up her mind to go. And once she makes up her mind, it’s difficult to change it,” Garg said.
Archana’s Olympic journey was both impressive and challenging. Her selection was debated after she was chosen over Ayhika Mukherjee, who had defeated World No. 1 Sun Yingsha earlier. Nevertheless, Archana stayed focused and delivered a strong performance against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Her decision to quit was influenced by her passion for academics and her brother’s example, who works at NASA. Archana, who recently completed a Master’s degree in International Relations, Strategies, and Securities, expressed her interest in full-time studies.
“My brother works at NASA. He’s my idol, and he too encourages me to study. So I make the time to complete all my studies, and I enjoy it. I’m good at it too,” Archana had told The Indian Express earlier.
Her father, Girish Kamath, also discussed her decision, emphasizing her commitment to both table tennis and academics.
“Archana has always been academically oriented, and all along her TT career, she has pursued her studies, with a graduation in Economics and recently completing the requirements for a Master’s degree in International Relations, Strategies, and Securities. Having played table tennis with so much dedication and passion for more than 15 years, which culminated in her representing our country at the Olympics, she felt it was time for her to pursue her other passion—full-time studies. She has taken this difficult step with absolutely no regrets and after having given her best for the sport and the country,” he said.
