Asian Games: Ayhika, Sutirtha’s Brave Fight Ends in Semis, Bag Bronze Medal

Asian Games: Ayhika and Sutirtha bag their first-ever Asian Games medal after settling for bronze in women's doubles

Ayhika and Sutirtha bag bronze medal in women's doubles table tennis event

photo: PTI

Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee put up a brave fight before going down to North Korea's Saying Cha and Suyong Pak in the second semifinal 3-4 to claim the bronze medal in women's doubles table tennis at the Asian Games on Monday.

The Indian pair was bidding to win a historic maiden silver medal in the Asian Games table tennis competition but were thwarted by the North Korean pair that came back after losing the first game. Ayhika and Sutirtha lost the match 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 2-11 in a well-fought encounter.

They came back from 2-3 down to level the match at three games each but could not close out the match.

Ayhika and Sutirtha during the semi-final of women's doubles Table Tennis event

photo: PTI

"We tried our best today and gave it our all. But in the seventh and final we conceded a big lead and could not fight back," said Ayhika after the match.

On winning their first medal in the Asian Games, Ayhika said, "It feels surreal. The competitions are very tough. We are from the same academy (in Kolkata) and know each other's game so well. We tried our best but could not win."

Ayhika Mukherjee in action at the Asian Games during the women's doubles Table Tennis event

photo: PTI