WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 Kicks Off with Eight Olympic Medalists & Record Indian Participation
Chennai to witness world-class action with eight Olympic medalists and 158 top paddlers, Indian men’s doubles pair tops WTT seeding for the first time ever
BNH NETWORK
WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 Officially Launched
Chennai- Chennai has officially become the epicenter of world table tennis as the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, presented by IndianOil, was unveiled in a grand ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, alongside table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal, revealed the tournament trophy, setting the stage for an electrifying week of top-tier international competition.
The event, organized by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) under the TTFI, will feature 158 players from across the globe, including eight Olympic medalists, competing for 600 ranking points and a prize pool of USD 275,000.
Sharath Kamal, India’s most celebrated paddler, who is playing his final international tournament, received a special tribute, making this a historic event for Indian table tennis.
Fact File: WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 |
| Location | Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai |
| Dates | March 25-31, 2025 |
| Prize Pool | USD 275,000 |
| Total Participants | 158 Players |
| Olympic Medalists | 8 |
| Indian Representation | 82 Players (35 Men, 47 Women) |
| Top International Seeds | Tomokazu Harimoto (#3, MS, Japan), Hina Hayata (#5, WS, Japan) |
| Top Indian Entry | Manush Shah & Manav Thakkar (#1 Seed in Men’s Doubles) |
Star-Studded Lineup & Record-Breaking Indian Participation
Global Stars: Leading the charge are Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto (#3, MS) and Hina Hayata (#5, WS), both Olympic medalists, joined by Miwa Harimoto (#6, WS, Japan), Shin Yu-bin (#10, WS, South Korea), Cheng I-Ching (#11, WS, Chinese Taipei), Doo Hoi Kem (#36, WS, Hong Kong), Lee Eun-hye (#39, WS, South Korea), and Lim Jong-hoon (#43, MS, South Korea).
India’s Biggest Representation Yet: A record 82 Indian players (35 men, 47 women) will compete across categories, with 19 directly in the main draw—the most ever for India at this level.
Indian Doubles Domination: Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar enter as top seeds in men’s doubles—a first for an Indian pair at a WTT Star Contender event. In mixed doubles, Diya Chitale and Manush Shah are seeded fourth, aiming for a deep run.
Where to Watch
- Show Court Matches: Sony LIV app & website
- Courts 1, 2 & 3: WTT YouTube Channel
Chennai Set for a Historic Week of Table Tennis
With record-breaking Indian participation, a star-studded international lineup, and Sharath Kamal’s farewell tournament, WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 promises to be a milestone event in Indian table tennis history. As the world’s best paddlers compete for glory, Chennai will once again shine on the global sporting map. Let the battles begin!
