The Khelo India Para Games 2025 kicked off thrillingly at the IG Indoor Stadium, with Haryana’s Sandeep Dangi setting the tone early in the men’s Class 1 table tennis competition.
Dangi made quick work of his first-round opponent, Harsh Vardhan Mani Dixit from Uttar Pradesh, wrapping up the match in straight games—11-4, 11-2, 11-3—barely breaking a sweat as he advanced to the second round.
Later in the evening, Dangi returned to the table for a more intense face-off against Alpesh Bhagvanbhai Sutariya.
Though the match posed a greater challenge, Dangi’s grit and consistency shone through, as the seasoned paddler from Haryana edged past Sutariya to book a place in the next stage.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Madan delivered a dominant performance against his state compatriot Neeraj Kumar, registering a convincing 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 win in their all-Tamil Nadu showdown.
Uttar Pradesh’s Mayank Srivastava also cruised into the next round, dismantling Maharashtra’s Dipak Chandrkant Sargar 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 in what proved to be another one-sided affair.
However, Mayank’s momentum hit a speed bump in the next round when he was outclassed by Jehan Dorab, who showed sharp reflexes and tactical prowess to win 11-9, 11-7, 11-4.
Jehan’s victory throws a curveball in the qualification equation, possibly narrowing Srivastava’s chances of progressing further.
In other matches, Neeraj Kumar, bouncing back from his earlier loss, kept his hopes alive by outplaying Dipak Chandrakant with an assertive 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 scoreline.
Class 1 is known to be the most demanding in para table tennis, with participants facing some of the most significant physical challenges, making the level of skill, mental strength, and determination on display all the more inspiring.
On the women’s side, Haryana’s Ekta Bhyan put on a clinical show against Prema P of Tamil Nadu, storming to victory 11-2, 11-1, 11-4.
Karnataka’s Rajalakshmi SJ also moved ahead, though by default, as her opponent Deepika Rani Ramanathan failed to show up for her match.
As the opening day drew to a close, competition across all classifications intensified. With early favourites advancing smoothly, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown on Day 2.
Nine medals are up for grabs tomorrow, with the men’s Class 1 to 5 and women’s Class 1 to 4 categories concluding—promising a day packed with action, drama, and unforgettable performances.
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