Skopje, June 15 — Indian table tennis duo Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah concluded a memorable run at the WTT Contender Skopje 2025 with a silver medal in men’s doubles, marking their maiden appearance in a final at this level. Although they fell short of the title, their performance throughout the tournament stood out as a major statement from the rising Indian pair.
In the final, Thakkar and Shah were up against the South Korean team of Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung. Despite displaying aggressive intent and leading phases in each game, the Indians were defeated in straight games 9-11, 7-11, 9-11. Each game was closely contested, with Thakkar and Shah starting strong but unable to maintain the momentum when it mattered most.
In the first game, they led 9-6 before a Korean comeback sealed it. The second followed a similar trajectory — neck and neck until a Korean timeout at 8-7 changed the tempo. In the final game, the Indians again took an early lead but faltered as Lim and Oh capitalized on critical points.
Earlier in the tournament, the Indian duo impressed with notable victories. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Slovenia’s Darko Jorgić and Deni Kožul in four games (11-6, 2-11, 11-4, 13-11). The semifinal clash saw them turn the tables on the same South Korean pair they later faced in the final, defeating them 3-1 to reach the championship match — a win that underlined their potential on the international stage.
While the final did not yield the desired result, the campaign has undoubtedly added a new chapter to Indian table tennis. Reaching a WTT Contender final is a first for Thakkar and Shah as a pair and a rare feat for Indian men’s doubles combinations.
This achievement is likely to serve as a confidence booster ahead of future WTT events and the build-up to the 2026 Asian Games. With their skill, chemistry, and composure under pressure, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah have signalled that they belong among the top tier of doubles pairings in
the sport.
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