U Mumba TT Claims First UTT Title with Convincing Victory Over Jaipur Patriots

U Mumba TT Makes History in Ultimate Table Tennis

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 16: U Mumba TT has made history by securing their first Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) championship with a commanding 8-4 victory against Jaipur Patriots in the Season 6 Grand Finale held on Sunday, showcasing an impressive team effort.

The team took an early advantage with wins from Lilian Bardet and Bernadette Szocs, followed by a decisive mixed doubles match where Szocs and Akash Pal triumphed 3-0, bringing them close to the title. The championship was clinched by teenager Abhinandh Punjab, who delivered a crucial win in the fourth match. Although Yashaswini Ghorpade did not participate in the final, her remarkable performance in the semi-finals highlighted U Mumba's overall strength this season, a testament to the effective coaching by John Murphy and Jay Modak, as noted in a UTT press release.

For their outstanding performances in the finale, Akash and Szocs were honored as the Indian and Foreign Player of the Final, respectively, while Jeet Chandra received the Shot of the Final award.

Organized under the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, UTT is rapidly establishing itself as a leading professional league. The event spanned over 16 thrilling days, with all 23 matches taking place at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.

Bardet set the stage for U Mumba with a determined comeback against Kanak Jha in the opening match, turning a one-game deficit into a 2-1 victory. This momentum continued into a high-profile match between Szocs, the league's top player, and India's highest-ranked player, Sreeja Akula. Szocs displayed exceptional defense and composure, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win, marking Sreeja's first loss of the season.

Szocs then teamed up with Akash to dominate the mixed doubles, easily defeating Jeet and Britt Eerland in straight games. The U Mumba duo showcased their prowess, moving from a 5-5 tie to an 11-5 win in the second game and closing out the third game with the same score.

In a critical fourth match, Jeet kept the Jaipur Patriots in contention with a strong start, winning the first two games against U Mumba's Abhinandh. However, the 17-year-old paddler maintained his composure in a tense third game; after a 6-6 tie, Abhinandh surged ahead to win 11-8, securing U Mumba TT's inaugural UTT title with an overall score of 8-4.

Dempo Goa Challengers' captain Harmeet Desai and U Mumba TT's Bernadette Szocs were recognized as the Male and Female MVPs of UTT Season 6 for their exceptional performances, while Adriana Diaz earned the 'Shot of the League' for her remarkable winner against Krittwika Sinha Roy during the Kolkata ThunderBlades' league match against Goa.

The Grand Finale was attended by numerous dignitaries, including UTT Co-Promoters Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj, TTFI Secretary General Kamlesh Mehta, Arjuna awardee Monalisa Mehta, ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton, and ITTF Foundation Director Leandro Olvech. Senior officials from IndianOil, the title sponsors, were also present, along with Rakesh Khanna, Sameer Koticha, and Kiran Bir Sethi, who played ceremonial roles in honoring the season's top performers.

Final Scores

U Mumba TT 8-4 Jaipur Patriots

Lilian Bardet bt. Kanak Jha 2-1 (4-11, 11-5, 11-7)

Bernadette Szocs bt. Sreeja Akula 2-1 (11-9, 10-11, 11-5)

Akash Pal/Bernadette Szocs bt. Jeet Chandra/Britt Eerland 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-5)

Abhinandh Punjab lost to Jeet Chandra 1-2 (5-11, 8-11, 11-8).