It’s easy to skip Diya Chitale in the crowd. Small 22 -year -old movements with clinical economy, not a step more than necessary. You could walk around her without a second look.
But inside a table tennis court, it transforms. Chitale becomes the power of nature. She won’t come back from the fight. You are, she corresponds to a cold look and even colder forehand. You set off and she can just feed it – and give you threshing.
Kolkata Thunderbolts found it hard. In recent Ultimate Table Tennis (Utt) Match against Dabang Delhi, Chitale watched 3-7. This was followed by an eight -point blitz, who left 19 -year -old Ananyu Chande stunned and the crowd silenced.
Chitale thanked the pro-racat of the crowd after the match for the drive of her return.
“I think the drums really helped us to the end. Thank you for your drums,” Diya told the official transmitter after the match with reference to the organization of the opponent’s team.
Part of the journey is the inclination of the injury. The rise of it is what defines you. Restart with unstoppable energy @Wtt Star applicant Chennai. pic.twitter.com/i69pepedgu– Diya Chitale (@Diyachitalett) March 25, 2025
Mumbaikar is one of the standout names in the Indian new wave of table tennis stars. She and her partner Manush Shah are currently 11th place in the world in mixed doubles and recently won the WTT Conwarder Tunis 2025. In the exciting final, the third deployed duo lost around Japanese couple Sora Matsushim and Olympic medalist Miwa Harimoto.
The rise of Chitale came at the right time for Indian table tennis. India first qualified for team events at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 Since Sport was introduced in 1988. The country has sent its largest contingent-osm players-and has seen its best known paddle-water bag Achant Sharath Kamal honored as an Indian flag.
This kind of recognition can go a long way for athletes who strive for future Olympics, and it seems to be true for Diy Chitale, which is hellishly trying to end the medal in the country in the competition.
“Table tennis has been really on the rise in the last few years, you know as if the manic has won gold at the Commonwealth Games. Sreeja is doing really well. So I think everything is moving in the right direction for Indian table tennis,” India said in exclusive interaction in Ahmedabad.
UTT, which is now in its 6th edition, allowed Indian players to play the platform against some of the world’s largest talents under the umbrella of Franšíz. Chitale, representing Dabang Delhi, is the most expensive Indian tournament player. She kept the tokens of Rs 14.1 lakh, repaid this investment by helping Delhi Storm to the semifinals.
Chitale believes that the best shot from India at the Olympic Gold lies in mixed doubles, especially with other medals that open in La 2028. And the way India closes the gap, says, time is now.
“I think in doubles is one of the aspects where I see if you have a big chance of getting a medal for India at the Olympics, because it is now a separate event,” Diya said.
“And also, in the last few years, if you have seen it, we beat, you know, players with the highest rating and we are getting there. I think, first, as before, if you see, I think the gap was quite a lot, but I think we are slowly overwhelming the gap and it is better over time,” she added.
Although the Chitale is only 22 years old, he approaches the game – and life – with a surprising discipline. She asked for her daily schedule, Chitale emphasizes training, recovery and food that can only be achieved by uncompromising discipline. Diya chitale (PTI Photo)
Coincidentally, there could be a “virat” on the conversation with a jacket. Its obsessive regime and furry thinking are reflected in the cricket that admires. There are more parallels. He does not hold on the playground, as well as Kohli. Shouts. He stares his opponents. He gets into the game – and in their heads.
“I think if I have a break or some time off, then maybe Sunday, then normally catch up with some sleep, I think it’s the first thing I do. But yeah, I also like my friends and cousins as if they lived quite close.
“Frankly, there’s not so much time. But yeah, it’s only when it’s time, really thinking about table tennis and everyone, and just, I like watching movies, series, so maybe something like that or as I said, just play some games or just hang it,” she added.
Asked about the last film she watched, she draws empty. This level of focus leaves a small space for anything outside its Olympic tunnel.
“I am very motivated. Like, I think I have never had to push me since the first step on my parents to go to training, even though I was very young, I think I was a very motivated athlete, I would say,” Diya Chitale said.
The right coach, the right time
Self-motivation will take you far-but in sport, the right coach can be interested. Chitale attributes its ascension to the early spark and timely lead from Sachin Shetta. Her first TT experience was on a family holiday as a child. Only when she won a silver medal in U12 Nationals, her family was serious about sports.
“I was a very active child and I would play TT as a hobby on vacation. When I won bronze at my first district tournament as a child, the road started.
“My coach Sachin Shetty, I think he was behind all the master”
Sachin’s advice was dull: If you want to win medals, not only represent India, you have to think outside the box. This meant training abroad, playing more international matches and reconstruction of its foundation.
The changing Indian sports landscape was also the wind under the wings of a young athlete. Both the Indian public and the government increased from the historical gold of Neer Chopry at the Tokyo Olympics. Diya states that there is currently massive in the TopS development scheme.
“I really have seen a change over the years, and now I feel that other people also know players except cricket. If you are someone who is PV Sindu, of course they know. You are someone who is Neer Chopra, of course they know.
From stands to center phase
One part of the increase in consciousness must be attributed to the final table tennis competition, which began in 2017. It is important for every aspiring athlete to see their heroes on television, and more importantly, it is essential for them to feel the crowd, soak up in energy. Diya Chitale reveals that she was at the stalls during the first season and absolutely loved her experience in Mumbai.
Perhaps it is also important in the development of her character in the court, which interacts with the crowd, feeds them and lifts them with every passage.
She first played in the competition in 2023 – with her native team at Mumba. It was a disastrous season for her where she couldn’t win a single match. However, she swears that she has taught her how to deal with pressure, failure.
Reduced to 2025, she is the most expensive player in the auction and also one of the largest players in the Indian circuit.
“UTT started in 2017 and at that time I also watched everything very very very very very very much. Another level, do you know?” She said.
When Diya got up to leave, a desperate smile blinked on her face. The 45-minute interview ate into his carefully planned day-but did not seem to have appeared.
She laughed when asked if little deviations were bothering her. She learns to let go, she said. Learn not to solve her goals too tight.
“The more you hold on something and the more pressure you put on it, that, well, I have to do it, I have to do it, the further it gets away. So that’s something I’ve learned in the last one, two years, so I think it’s like what I tried to change is just everyday work and yeah.
Published:
Rishabh beniwal
Published on:
June 13, 2025
