Dempo Goa Challengers Triumph in Thrilling UTT Season 7 Finale

In an electrifying finale of the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, the Dempo Goa Challengers emerged victorious against HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades with an 8-7 scoreline. MVP Bernadette Szocs played a crucial role, winning the decisive match against Zeng Jian. The match showcased thrilling performances, including a standout display from teenage sensation Abhinandh PB. This victory not only highlights Goa's unbeaten streak but also emphasizes the growing competitiveness in Indian table tennis. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the match and individual accolades.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 14, 2026, 07:04 IST

Dempo Goa's Unbeaten Streak Continues

In a nail-biting conclusion, reigning MVP Bernadette Szocs showcased her skills to lead the Dempo Goa Challengers to an exhilarating 8-7 victory against HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades during the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, powered by ChatGPT, held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.

With the match tied at 7-7, Szocs clinched the final game, narrowly defeating Singapore's Zeng Jian 11-9, ensuring Goa maintained their flawless record in the season.

The foundation of this victory was laid by the impressive performance of teenage prodigy Abhinandh PB, who continued his unbeaten run by defeating Ankur Bhattacharjee, marking him as one of the standout players of the season.

A Competitive Matchup

Dempo Goa, two-time champions, initiated the scoring with Spain's Alvaro Robles, who bounced back after losing the second game to secure a 2-1 win over Eduard Ionescu, concluding with a remarkable 11-0 game.

Kolkata quickly retaliated as Ayhika Mukherjee triumphed over Syndrela Das 2-1, restricting the young player to just one game after her impressive victory against Manika Batra the previous day.

Kolkata then took a slight lead when Ayhika and Ankur Bhattacharjee won the mixed doubles match 2-1, giving the ThunderBlades a narrow 5-4 advantage in a back-and-forth contest.

Abhinandh then demonstrated his prowess by defeating Ankur 2-1, showcasing his attacking style and restoring Goa's lead.

Decisive Women's Singles Clash

This set the stage for a crucial women's singles match between Szocs and Zeng Jian. After Jian won the first game, Szocs rallied to force a deciding game, ultimately maintaining her composure to convert her fourth match point with a powerful topspin winner, securing an 8-7 victory for the defending champions.

Awards and Recognition

Abhinandh was honored as the ChatGPT Match IQ Player of the Tie, while Ayhika received the Indian Player of the Tie award for her outstanding performances in both singles and mixed doubles. Robles was recognized as the Foreign Player of the Tie, and Ankur earned the Bisleri Shot of the Tie accolade.

Dream UTT Juniors Update

Earlier in the day, the Dream UTT Juniors competition, which runs alongside Season 7, saw Dabang Delhi TTC hand U Mumba TT their first defeat of the season with a 6-3 victory. Meanwhile, Dempo Goa Challengers also achieved a 6-3 win over PBG Pune Jaguars, climbing to fourth place in the standings.

Final Match Score

Final Score: Dempo Goa Challengers 8-7 HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades

Alvaro Robles defeated Eduard Ionescu 2-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-0)

Syndrela Das lost to Ayhika Mukherjee 1-2 (9-11, 7-11, 11-4)

Alvaro Robles/Syndrela Das lost to Ankur Bhattacharjee/Ayhika Mukherjee 1-2 (9-11, 11-7, 7-11)

Abhinandh P.B. defeated Ankur Bhattacharjee 2-0 (11-8, 11-8, 6-11)

Bernadette Szocs defeated Zeng Jian 2-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-9).