<p>By and large, talent is defined on the basis of an individual’s possession of natural skill sets. A minority of athletes have it in abundance while the rest depend on hard toil to excel in their chosen sport. </p>.<p>Achanta Sharath Kamal believes he belongs to the latter category. </p>.<p>“My natural talents were discipline and the ability to work hard,” said the table tennis star in an interaction with <em><span>DH</span></em>. “I was never naturally skilled or technically sound. I developed them by putting in the hours from a young age. This is what helped me have a long career,” explains the 41-year-old. </p>.<p>Considered overaged in a fast-paced sport, Kamal proved the naysayers wrong when he clinched three golds - men’s singles, men’s team event and mixed doubles - and a silver in the men’s doubles at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The feat spurred him to extend his career as an athlete until Paris Olympics 2024. </p>.<p>Though the mind is as focussed and fresh as it was when he began playing some three-and-a-half decades ago, maintaining the same fitness levels is a challenge, says Kamal. </p>.<p>“I face opponents who are 20-25 years younger than me. The need is to match them in physical fitness so we are on a level playing field. Once that’s well oiled, the mental part of the game is taken care of along with my experience. </p>.<p>“Adapting and upgrading (body, mind and technicalities) constantly to stay relevant is another aspect. The offence-defence style of play is long gone,” adds the 6’1” paddler. </p>.<p>Offence is reciprocated with offence in modern table tennis. Something that is on display in plenty at the ongoing Season 4 Ultimate Table Tennis in which Kamal leads the defending champions Chennai Lions. </p>.<p>Speaking about the impact the franchise league has made, Kamal observes that it has created interest among more people to watch table tennis - a good sign for a sport that he feels is not spectator-friendly. </p>.<p>“The game is too intricate. There are plenty of variables which people cannot understand. For example, (if) there is a lot of spin on the ball, the rubbers react differently. Added to this, the margin for error is minimal. It doesn’t appeal to a common man,” reckons the 2022 Khel Ratna Awardee. </p>.<p>One cannot disagree with Kamal’s analysis, as the flag-bearer of Indian table tennis is one of the most underrated sportspersons in the country. Media attention, fan following, big prize money were alien to him until recent years. </p>.<p>Then what keeps him going even after all these years? “It’s the love for medals and recognition,” he offers. “Those are the goals you set. If I just love the sport I should be doing it as a hobby. I could just show up at a training hall everyday, play a little bit, go back home, have a beer and take life easy. But why put myself through these difficult situations and failures every single day?”</p>.<p>What’s left to chase for a ten-time senior national champion with multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and other big events?</p>.<p>“There’s just this one medal left,” he simply says with a grin. </p>.<p>That’s not a tough guess. Over to Paris then.</p>
<p>By and large, talent is defined on the basis of an individual’s possession of natural skill sets. A minority of athletes have it in abundance while the rest depend on hard toil to excel in their chosen sport. </p>.<p>Achanta Sharath Kamal believes he belongs to the latter category. </p>.<p>“My natural talents were discipline and the ability to work hard,” said the table tennis star in an interaction with <em><span>DH</span></em>. “I was never naturally skilled or technically sound. I developed them by putting in the hours from a young age. This is what helped me have a long career,” explains the 41-year-old. </p>.<p>Considered overaged in a fast-paced sport, Kamal proved the naysayers wrong when he clinched three golds - men’s singles, men’s team event and mixed doubles - and a silver in the men’s doubles at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The feat spurred him to extend his career as an athlete until Paris Olympics 2024. </p>.<p>Though the mind is as focussed and fresh as it was when he began playing some three-and-a-half decades ago, maintaining the same fitness levels is a challenge, says Kamal. </p>.<p>“I face opponents who are 20-25 years younger than me. The need is to match them in physical fitness so we are on a level playing field. Once that’s well oiled, the mental part of the game is taken care of along with my experience. </p>.<p>“Adapting and upgrading (body, mind and technicalities) constantly to stay relevant is another aspect. The offence-defence style of play is long gone,” adds the 6’1” paddler. </p>.<p>Offence is reciprocated with offence in modern table tennis. Something that is on display in plenty at the ongoing Season 4 Ultimate Table Tennis in which Kamal leads the defending champions Chennai Lions. </p>.<p>Speaking about the impact the franchise league has made, Kamal observes that it has created interest among more people to watch table tennis - a good sign for a sport that he feels is not spectator-friendly. </p>.<p>“The game is too intricate. There are plenty of variables which people cannot understand. For example, (if) there is a lot of spin on the ball, the rubbers react differently. Added to this, the margin for error is minimal. It doesn’t appeal to a common man,” reckons the 2022 Khel Ratna Awardee. </p>.<p>One cannot disagree with Kamal’s analysis, as the flag-bearer of Indian table tennis is one of the most underrated sportspersons in the country. Media attention, fan following, big prize money were alien to him until recent years. </p>.<p>Then what keeps him going even after all these years? “It’s the love for medals and recognition,” he offers. “Those are the goals you set. If I just love the sport I should be doing it as a hobby. I could just show up at a training hall everyday, play a little bit, go back home, have a beer and take life easy. But why put myself through these difficult situations and failures every single day?”</p>.<p>What’s left to chase for a ten-time senior national champion with multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and other big events?</p>.<p>“There’s just this one medal left,” he simply says with a grin. </p>.<p>That’s not a tough guess. Over to Paris then.</p>