Kolkata Thunder Blades Triumph in Dream UTT Juniors Finale

Exciting Conclusion to Dream UTT Juniors Season 1

The inaugural season of Dream Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Juniors wrapped up with an exhilarating final that highlighted the exceptional U-15 table tennis talent in India. After two weeks of fierce competition among young players nationwide, Ritvik Gupta and Swara Karmakar from the Kolkata Thunder Blades claimed victory in a thrilling match that concluded with a score of 5-2.

They triumphed over U Mumba TT's Prateek Tulsani and Ananya Muralidharan at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, as reported by the UTT and Dream Sports Foundation.

This tournament served as a unique opportunity for junior athletes to engage in professional-level competition and gain insights from experienced players, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of table tennis in India.

The awards ceremony featured Vita Dani, Co-promoter of Ultimate Table Tennis, Neel Shah, CEO of Dream Sports Foundation, and Sumit Pandey, COO of the Dream Sports Foundation.

Neel Shah expressed his thoughts on the tournament, stating, “The first edition of Dream UTT Juniors has been a tremendous success, offering our talented U-15 players a priceless chance to compete in a professional league format and learn from senior athletes. This event is more than just a competition; it is a vital stepping stone that will aid these young champions in developing the skills necessary to represent India on the global stage. We are proud to collaborate with Ultimate Table Tennis for this tournament, reinforcing our mutual commitment to nurturing grassroots talent and building a stronger future for Indian table tennis.”

Following their victory, the Kolkata Thunder Blades duo expressed their excitement. Swara Karmakar remarked, “The experience was amazing. I had numerous opportunities to play alongside top players. I truly enjoyed my time with senior players Adriana Diaz and Quadri Aruna – they were very friendly and welcoming.”

Ritvik Gupta shared similar feelings, stating, “I never thought I would have the chance to participate in Dream UTT Juniors. It has always been my dream to be part of UTT. This was my first experience here, and being a player rather than just a spectator makes me incredibly happy.”

In the boys' singles match, Prateek started strong, winning the first set 11-10 against Ritvik. The two competitors battled fiercely, with Ritvik taking the second set 11-10. Ultimately, Ritvik secured the early lead for the Kolkata Thunder Blades with an 11-8 win in the third set.

Ritvik and Swara began their mixed doubles match with a commanding 11-4 victory over U Mumba's Prateek and Ananya. Despite a strong comeback from U Mumba in the second set, the Thunder Blades clinched the win with an 11-9 score. U Mumba managed to take the final set with an 11-9 score, bringing the overall tie to 4-2 as they entered the girls' doubles.

Ultimately, Swara secured the championship for her team with an 11-4 win in the first set of the girls' doubles, confirming the trophy for the Kolkata Thunder Blades.

Dream UTT Juniors Final: U Mumba TT vs Kolkata Thunder Blades

- Prateek Tulsani vs Ritvik Gupta: 11-10, 10-11,

- Prateek/Ananya vs Ritvik/Swara: 4-11, 9-11, 11-9

- Ananya Muralidharan vs Swara Karmakar: 4-11.