Sreeja Akula Shines in Olympic Opener

In a thrilling start to her Olympic journey, Indian table tennis star Sreeja Akula showcased her talent on Sunday, July 28. Playing at the South Paris Arena, she faced off against Christina Kallberg from Sweden.

Akula delivered a stunning performance, winning in straight games with scores of 11-4, 11-9, 11-7, and 11-8, finishing the match in just 30 minutes. Her victory in the Round of 64 has earned her a place in the Round of 32.

As she dominated the game, her coach was seen clapping enthusiastically from the sidelines, reflecting the encouraging atmosphere surrounding her match. This win boosts her confidence as she gears up for tougher competitors in the upcoming rounds.

The Indian table tennis team has made history at the Paris Olympics, qualifying for the team event, with all eyes now on players like Akula, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanaekaran, and Manika Batra.

Sreeja Akula’s career has been quite impressive so far. She is a two-time Indian national champion and has bagged several international titles. Notably, she won her first WTT singles title at the WTT Feeder event in Corpus Christi, Texas, in January 2024.

Following that victory, she clinched her second title at the WTT Feeder Beirut II in March 2024, defeating Sarah De Nutte from Luxembourg. In June 2024, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian to win a title at the WTT Contender level, triumphing in Lagos against Ding Yijie from China.

Beyond individual titles, Sreeja is also known for winning a gold medal in the mixed doubles category alongside Sharath Kamal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Her consistency has earned her a top spot in the Indian team for international competitions.

With a career-high ranking of 40, Sreeja Akula is undoubtedly a player to watch in the ongoing Olympic Games.