Indian table tennis player Archana Kamath has decided to retire from professional sports to pursue a degree in economics at the University of Michigan. Despite making history with India’s women’s table tennis team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, Kamath has chosen to step away from the sport due to financial uncertainties and limited monetary rewards from the sport.
At just 24, Kamath was instrumental in India’s historic Olympic run, being the only player to secure a victory in their 1-3 loss to Germany in the quarter-finals. However, the uncertainty of winning a medal in the 2028 Los Angeles Games led her to reassess her future. After returning from Paris, Kamath had a candid conversation with her coach, Anshul Garg, about the prospects of continuing her career in table tennis, eventually concluding that pursuing higher education would offer a more stable and rewarding path.
Kamath’s journey to the Paris Olympics was not without controversy, as her selection over Ayhika Mukherjee, who had defeated World No. 1 Sun Yingsha, sparked debate. However, Kamath remained focused and delivered a commendable performance, helping India achieve a historic milestone.
Despite receiving support from TOPS, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), and other sponsors, Kamath realized that the pursuit of an Olympic medal might not be enough to secure her future. Her brother, who works at NASA, has been a significant influence on her decision. “My brother is my idol, and he encourages me to study. I enjoy my studies and am good at it,” Kamath shared with the media.
