Divyanshi, who won gold at the Dream Sports Championship Table Tennis in March, spoke about playing in the Dream UTT Juniors, \u201cGetting to see the top players up close, training with them, and having you play right in front of me - it was incredible\u201d she shared.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The young star, currently ranked third in the U-15 category, has already made waves by challenging senior players \u2013 a testament to the rising standards of Indian table tennis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked by Divyanshi about her toughest experiences on the table, Sreeja revealed, \"I've had several challenging matches that taught me different lessons. In the Commonwealth Games, I was almost on the verge of losing my quarter-finals against Mo Zhang. I kept reminding myself to focus on each point, not the scoreline. Then, in the Paris Olympics against Sun Yingsha, I had a 10-5 lead in the first two games, but the situation was completely different.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy biggest lesson from the Olympics was never becoming passive when leading - I was just trying to keep the ball on the table instead of playing aggressively. \u201cMy advice to young athletes would be to believe in yourself, trust the process and your team, and keep pushing hard,\" Sreeja added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her words carried the weight of experience, having competed at the highest level and playing a key role in taking the Jaipur Patriots to the semifinals in the ongoing Ultimate Table Tennis. \u201cDon't get too focused on the final outcome, but concentrate on the process and try to improve each day,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a heartwarming twist, the Stanley\u2019s Chennai Lions\u2019 young TT player revealed how the pandemic sparked her table tennis journey, \u201cWe got a table for our house during lockdown and I'd spend the whole day practicing with my dad and sister. As I kept playing, I fell in love with the sport, and then I started winning.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both athletes spoke highly about the Dream Sports Foundation's impact on their careers. Sreeja, who has been supported since 2021, reflected: \u201cThe support came at exactly the right moment when I was seeking sponsorship... It wasn't just financial help - they connected me with a dietician, mental trainer, and gave me exposure through international tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When discussing her goals, Divyanshi's determination stood out, \u201cMy long-term goal is winning an Olympic medal for India and breaking into the world's top 10. We're putting in the work every single day.\u201d Sreeja's response was filled with encouragement, \u201cWith your style of play, you'll definitely make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sreeja's daily routine reflects the dedication required at the highest level. \u201cBeing disciplined on and off the court is crucial for me because you have to spend at least 2 hours a day maintaining your fitness. It's also very important for preventing injuries,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The conversation's lighter moments revealed personal touches that made both athletes relatable. Divyanshi's sporting heroes? \u201cManika Batra... and you,\u201d she told Sreeja with a smile. Sreeja's role model? Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Divyanshi also added during the rapid fire that one athlete she dreams of meeting was China's world champion and Olympic gold medalist, Chen Meng. For Sreeja, the Indian Olympian shared that her coach Somnath Ghosh brought the most energy to practice sessions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The conversation's lighter moments revealed personal touches that made both athletes relatable. Divyanshi's sporting heroes? \u201cManika Batra... and you,\u201d she told Sreeja with a smile. Sreeja's role model? Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n