Cluj Napoca, Romania – On Sunday at the BT Arena, Indian junior table‑tennis star Divyanshi Bhowmick extended her brilliant 2025 campaign by becoming just the second Indian to win a singles medal in the U‑15 girls category at the ITTF World Youth Championships.
The 15‑year‑old faced a tough semifinal against China’s Zhu Qihui, losing 4‑1 (12‑10, 10‑12, 6‑11, 4‑11, 8‑11). Even so, she had already knocked out strong opponents from Europe, Korea and Japan and had shown a firm fighting spirit all the way to the last‑four stage.
This medal adds another highlight to a season that has already proven historic for the young Kolkata player. She opened in Romania with a decisive 4‑0 win over Algeria’s Jade Morice (11‑6, 13‑11, 11‑7, 11‑5), then edged Korea’s Kim Minseo 4‑2 (6‑11, 11‑5, 12‑10, 5‑11, 11‑7, 11‑6) to reach the pre‑quarterfinals. Her quarterfinal match against Japan’s Kokomi Ishida ended 4‑2 (11‑9, 13‑11, 10‑12, 9‑11, 11‑9, 11‑7).
Earlier this year, Divyanshi made history by taking the U‑15 girls’ singles title at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent, becoming the first Indian in 36 years to do so – a triumph that has cemented her status as one of India’s brightest table‑tennis prospects.
India’s success in Romania didn’t stop with Divyanshi. The U‑15 girls’ team—comprising her, Ananya Muralidharan, Ankolika Chakraborty and Naisha Rewaskar—clinched bronze. In the U‑19 boys’ team event, Ankur Bhattacharjee, Abhinandh Pradhivadhi, Punit Biswas and Priyanuj Bhattacharyya earned a historic silver, marking India’s first podium finish in the boys’ team category since the tournament’s inception.
Coached by Massimo Costantini, the right‑handed paddle‑ist with a shakehand grip has also finished the competition with two bronze medals in singles and team play.
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