India’s Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee created history despite losing their semifinal clash as they claimed the bronze medal in the women’s doubles Table Tennis competition at the Asian Games 2023 on Monday.
The Indian duo lost a nail-biter against North Korea's Sugyong Pak and Suyog Cha but had done enough to give India their first-ever medal in the women’s doubles Table Tennis event.
Sutirtha and Ayhika brought the match on even-keel after trailing 2-3 but the Koreans Sugyong Pak and Suyog Cha outgunned the Indian pair in the decider, winning the game by 7-11 11-8 7-11 11-8 11-9 5-11 11-2 in 60 minutes.
India were off to a promising start as they claimed the first game by 11-7.
The North Koreans were quick to respond as they came back 11-8 in the following game but were once again put away with ease by the Indians in the third game for 7-11.
The North Koreans started gaining rhythm as they brightened out to clinch the fourth game as well.
North Korea ended up taking the lead in the match with a score of 3-2 and were one game away from the finals. Ayhika-Sutirtha went on a rampage, claiming six points in a row, hungry to stay alive and push for the decision.
India pair put them away with ease, as they clinched the crucial game 11-5 and forced the final game.
After the Koreans had four straight points, the Indian pair managed to find a breakthrough but were left behind by 7-1.
In the end, it just was not meant to be for the Ayhika and Sutirtha, who lost the bout 11-2, handing the North Koreans a 4-3 win.
With this defeat in the women’s doubles, India’s table tennis campaign ended at the Games. This is the only TT medal that India won at this edition of the Games.