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Olympian Archana Kamath retired from professional table tennis at 24 to pursue higher education in the USA. read more
 "From table tennis star to public policy scholar")
Archana Kamath stunned the table tennis world by retiring at the age of 24 to pursue academics. Reuters
The Ultimate Table Tennis League began Thursday, with the Jaipur Patriots facing the defending champions, the Goa Challengers. Over the next two weeks, the league will showcase exciting table tennis action featuring top Indian players alongside elite international talent. Surprisingly, a notable absentee from the Indian players’ roster is Archana Kamath.
Archana, a member of the Indian women’s team at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, made a significant impact. She excelled in the doubles fixture against Romania in the Round of 16, and secured India’s only win in the 1-3 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals, beating Xiaona Shan, a player ranked 83 places above her in the world ranking at the time. With these performances, she seemed poised to be leading the charge in the run-up to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
However, Archana surprised the table tennis world on Thursday, announcing her retirement from professional table tennis to pursue a higher education in the USA.
As the news sank in, speculation surged. Some suggested that it was a move motivated by financial returns, while others argued that Archana may have foreseen slim chances of securing an Olympic medal in the future.
However, Archana laid rest to speculation, issuing a statement saying, “It was not an easy decision for me to make, but if I have retired from competitive table tennis, it is only and only because of my love for academics. TT is an amazing sport that I have had the privilege of playing for a long time, and my love for it continues…”.
She also stated, “I have never thought about nor played TT with financial returns in mind. Moreover, I have received so much support over the years - emotional, financial, and in every possible way one can think of….”.
While many of us strive to reach the pinnacle of our chosen fields, Archana has always stood apart as an extraordinary talent. She burst onto the national scene as a precocious 13-year-old, winning the National Championship in Sub-Junior Girls singles, and never looked back. By 15, she was not only outplaying older, more experienced competitors but also earned support from the prestigious Olympic Gold Quest. Her dominance in national competitions was matched by her academic brilliance, with exceptional results in both her 10th and 12th-grade board exams a testament to her relentless passion for excellence in every aspect of life.
A prevailing notion in modern society is the scepticism that one can truly excel in multiple disciplines. This belief is even more entrenched in Indian culture, where full-time athletes are often stereotyped as academically disinterested, and frequently dismissed as the class dunces in schools and colleges.
At the Paris Olympics, a significant number of athletes balanced full-time careers or studies alongside their Olympic commitments. Notable examples include 3-time Paris medal-winning swimmer Nic Fink, shot put gold medallist Canyon Berry, and rock climber Jesse Grupper, all of whom are American athletes who work as engineers in their everyday lives. There are numerous such examples from all over the world.
Athletes often have shorter careers compared to professionals in other fields. Most athletes, all over the world, struggle to justify their earning potential only through sport, as the investment is high, and rewards are limited to the ‘crème de la crème’. Regardless of earnings, athletes face early retirement, making it essential for them to develop well-rounded skillsets to prepare for life beyond.
Archana is setting a powerful example, demonstrating vision and foresight. Her move serves as a reminder to athletes to prioritize academics alongside their sporting careers, cultivating skills that will sustain them beyond the sporting arena. In a moment of candid self-reflection, she recognized her true calling and has chosen to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Michigan, her second Master’s, after already earning one in International Relations. With lofty aspirations, Archana now aims to serve the country by driving policy and societal change.
As a supporter of Indian table tennis, it’s hard to see Archana end her illustrious career at such a young age. It is hard to shake away the feeling of ‘what might have been’. Nevertheless, as well-wishers, it is encouraging to see her follow her passion and stay true to her values. We hope she continues to engage with the sport in some capacity and fulfils her ambition of serving India in a new role soon.
Archana Kamath’s statement on retiring from professional table tennis at 24:
(The author, a National Level table tennis player, has represented the state of Maharashtra across all age groups and at the senior level. He was the Under 12 Indian national champion and participated in international tournaments at the age-group level. Additionally, he is a silver medallist at the All-India University championships, representing the University of Mumbai. He has completed a Masters in Sport Management from Loughborough University, and is currently working with the coach education team for British Rowing, the National Governing Body for rowing in England)
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English (US) ·