The IWPC’s Fourth Table Tennis Tournament for journalists, supported by the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), was held on March 9-11 at its premises at 5 Windsor Place, New Delhi. The tournament was inaugurated by Mr. Manjit Singh Dua, a legendary table tennis player of the country.

Mr. Manjit Singh Dua made his mark by winning the National Table Tennis Championships for the first time in 1972 and later went on to win titles across several categories in subsequent years. He represented India in various international championships and won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1982. For his outstanding contribution to the sport, he was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 1982.

The 3 day tournament was received with great enthusiasm, with journalists taking time out from their hectic schedules to practise and compete. A total of 35 journalists from leading media organisations participated in the tournament. The draw was prepared by Mr. Amolak Singh Kler (Referee) with the assistance of Mr. Mukesh who conducted the matches.

Matches were held across five categories: Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed doubles.

The winners, runners-up and second runners-up in the various categories are as follows:

Mixed Doubles
Gold – Piyal Bhattacharjee (Times of India) / Joymala Bagchi (Freelancer)
Silver – Vinayak Padmadeo (The Tribune) / T.K. Rajalakshmi (Frontline)
Bronze – Bipin Sharma (The Indian Express) / Rimmi Sharma (Freelancer)

Women’s Doubles
Gold – Joymala Bagchi (Freelancer) / T.K. Rajalakshmi (Frontline)
Silver – Pooja Arya (NDTV) / Laxmi Devi A. (PTI)
Bronze – Ravinder Bawa (Freelancer) / Rimmi Sharma (Freelancer)

Men’s Doubles
Gold – Vinayak Padmadeo (The Tribune) / Piyal Bhattacharjee (Times of India)
Silver – Bipin Sharma (The Indian Express) / Neeraj Roy (Freelancer)
Bronze – Chetan Sahai (Freelancer) / Rakesh Negi (News18 India)

Women’s Singles
Gold – Joymala Bagchi (Freelancer)
Silver – Laxmi Devi A. (PTI)
Bronze – Pooja Arya (NDTV)

Men’s Singles
Gold – Abhishek Law (Mint)
Silver – Piyal Bhattacharjee (Times of India)
Bronze – Bipin Sharma (The Indian Express)