The Jaipur Patriots may have suffered a 6-9 defeat against the reigning champions Goa Challengers in their opening match of the fifth Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) season, but the tournament debut of South Korean paddler Cho Seungmin was a highlight. Despite facing enormous pressure in his first UTT appearance, Seungmin delivered a spectacular performance against one of India’s top players, Harmeet Desai.
The match was a stark contrast in world rankings. Harmeet is ranked 85th globally, while Seungmin is 146th. Early on, Harmeet’s dominance was evident, capitalizing on Seungmin’s initial nerves and taking the first game 11-2. However, Seungmin quickly adjusted, displaying remarkable resilience and determination in the second game. He countered Harmeet’s aggressive style with precise defense, seizing opportunities to win the game 11-1.
Seungmin’s momentum continued into the third game, where he established a comfortable lead at the halfway mark. Ultimately, he secured a stunning comeback victory with a backhand smash that sealed the final point.
Seungmin’s preparation involved extensive video analysis. He revealed that he watched numerous YouTube clips of Harmeet’s matches, including his encounter against fellow South Korean player Lim Jonghoon at the WTT contender tournament in 2023. This analysis allowed him to understand Harmeet’s strengths and weaknesses.
Harmeet acknowledged Seungmin’s technical superiority, stating, “He (Seungmin) used the variations to his advantage and didn’t allow me to use my feet as much as I would’ve liked.” However, he expressed determination to improve and bounce back in future matches.
Interestingly, Seungmin and Harmeet have previously met, with Seungmin emerging victorious in a 3-2 match at the 2021 Asian Table Tennis Championship in Doha.
Looking ahead, the Patriots face a formidable U-Mumba team on Sunday. Seungmin is eager to continue his impressive performance, stating, “We have a match against U-Mumba in three days. They have the likes of Manav (Thakkar) and Quadri (Aruna) and are a really good side. The first thing I’ll be doing is searching for these names on YouTube to learn more about them.”
