Historic Victory at Inter IIT Sports Meet: Insights from IIT Madras's Table Tennis Champions

News Release: IIT Madras's Table Tennis Teams Lead the Way in Historic Victory at Inter IIT Meet Under Coach Anas and Captain Nishant Vasan

Historic Victory at Inter IIT Sports Meet: Insights from IIT Madras's Table Tennis Champions

Karthik Ramani, an IIT Madras alumnus (1980-85) and Distinguished Professor at Purdue University, engages in a reflective conversation with IIT Madras's table tennis stars, Coach Anas and Captain Nishant Vasan, on their remarkable achievement at the Inter IIT Sports Meet.

Karthik Ramani: Congratulations on the remarkable victory, Nishant. How did it feel leading the men’s and women’s teams to gold?

Nishant Vasan: It was an extraordinary experience. The challenge was steep in the semifinals, especially against a team with a top-ranked player. Our victory there set the tone for our success in the finals against IIT Kanpur.

Karthik Ramani: Coach Anas, what differentiated our teams from the rest?

Coach Anas: Team spirit was pivotal. The players, led by Nishant, displayed exceptional unity and focus. We emphasized a fresh approach to each game, setting aside past records to play without pressure.

Karthik Ramani: As captain, Nishant, what strategies did you emphasize during the tournament?

Nishant Vasan: Our strategy was to focus on each match independently, not dwelling on the opponents' past accolades. This mindset helped us remain composed and resilient under pressure.

Karthik Ramani: Coach Anas, how did you prepare the teams for this high-level competition?

Coach Anas: Our preparation was thorough and consistent throughout the year. We increased the intensity of our training sessions and focused on enhancing specific skills like serving and receiving, which are crucial in match situations.

Karthik Ramani: Nishant, your thoughts on winning the Best Player award?

Nishant Vasan: Winning the Best Player award was incredibly gratifying. The overwhelming support from the team and IIT Madras crowd made it even more special.

Karthik Ramani: Coach Anas, your views on the broader impact of sports on students' lives?

Coach Anas: Engaging in sports like table tennis significantly benefits students’ decision-making abilities, academic performance, and overall personality development. It teaches them to handle pressure effectively.

Karthik Ramani: What's on the horizon for IIT Madras's table tennis teams?

Nishant Vasan & Coach Anas: Our focus remains on maintaining high training standards. We aim to continue attracting top talent to IIT Madras, fostering a legacy of excellence in both table tennis and academics.

About the Inter IIT Sports Meet: This prestigious event is the largest and oldest pan-IIT event, bringing together over 3000 athletes from 23 IITs.

Special Note: This victory marks a monumental achievement for IIT Madras, officially winning the General Championship (GC) and bringing it home after a 12-year gap. This is the 23rd time IIT Madras has won the GC. With a total of 88 points across 21 sporting events, table tennis significantly contributed with 20 points, thanks to the 2 gold medals, laying the foundation for this massive victory.

Perspective: Karthik Ramani, with his rich experience as an IIT Madras alumnus and advisor to Purdue University's nationally ranked team, brings valuable insights into the narrative, underscoring the importance of sports in comprehensive education.

Team Members: Men’s: Nishant?Vasan (captain), Jayanth Balasubramanian, Atharva Moghe, Akshay S. Women’s: Marie Lafontaine, Shreya Tejal, Nidhi Anchan (Captain). Coaches: Christopher Anas and Veera Raghavan Ashok