WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025: From Yoo Yerin to Hina Hayata

The WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 will feature top table tennis players from 20 nations competing for titles from March 25 to 30.

With ample ranking points and recognition on the offer, the entry list for the Chennai meet is also a star-studded one.

Within this exceptional line-up, ten players particularly shine - not only for their skill but also for the incredible paths that have shaped their careers. Here’s why they are must-see competitors.

Sharath Kamal (India)

One of the greatest Indian table tennis players is set for his final hurrah at WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, bringing the curtain down on a stellar career in his hometown.

A five-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games legend with 13 medals (seven gold), Sharath Kamal has been a trailblazer for Indian table tennis, breaking barriers with his 2004 ITTF Pro Tour title win and reaching a career-high world ranking of 30. The 42-year-old, the oldest participant in Chennai, will look to sign off in style.

Hugo Calderano (Brazil)

Hugo Calderano has redefined table tennis in Latin America, becoming the first player from the region to reach an Olympic semi-final - a feat he achieved in Paris 2024 - and break into the top 10 of the world rankings.

Currently ranked No. 6, he has won medals at the World Cup, Grand Smash and World Tour Grand Finals, in addition to a string of WTT Star Contender and Contender titles.

With his explosive playing style and unmatched agility, Calderano, one of the smartest players on the circuit also remains one of the biggest challengers to table tennis’ traditional powerhouses.

Yoo Yerin (Republic of Korea)

At just 16, Yoo Yerin is carving her own legacy in table tennis, following in the footsteps of her father, Yoo Nam-kyu, who won the first-ever table tennis men’s singles gold medal when the sport debuted at the Seoul 1988 Olympics.

A WTT Youth Nomination at Chennai, she is currently ranked third in the WTT Youth Rankings and was instrumental in the Republic of Korea winning a historic team gold at the ITTF World Youth Championships 2024, where she led a thrilling semi-final victory over the People’s Republic of China.

A dominant force in the WTT Youth Contender circuit, she now steps onto the senior stage, eager to showcase her potential against the world’s best.

Ankur Bhattacharjee (India)

A rising star in Indian table tennis, Ankur Bhattacharjee has consistently dominated the youth circuit and is currently ranked world No. 5 in Boys Singles in the WTT Youth Rankings.

The youngster has won three consecutive Boys' Singles National Championships and claimed U-19 singles titles at WTT Youth Contender Tunis 2024 and Cappadocia 2025.

His potential was evident in his UTT debut last year, where he won four of his five matches. Now, as a WTT Youth Nomination, his breakthrough is one to keep a watchful eye on.

Hina Hayata (Japan)

One of the fiercest challengers to China’s dominance, Hina Hayata is Japan’s highest-ranked women’s singles player and a key member of their golden generation.

The Olympic silver and bronze medalist has proven her consistency at the top level with multiple World Championship and Asian Championship podiums.

A left-handed powerhouse, she was also the most successful player in the ITTF Challenger Series - predecessor to the WTT Series - showcasing her ability to dominate competitive fields.

At WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, she enters as the highest-ranked women’s singles player and a top contender for the title.

Sreeja Akula (India)

In August 2024, Sreeja Akula reached a career-high world ranking of world No. 22 - the highest ever for an Indian singles player - cementing her status as one of India’s top table tennis players.

She made history at WTT Contender Lagos 2024, becoming the first Indian to win a WTT singles title, while also clinching the women’s doubles gold alongside Archana Kamath.

An Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth Games gold medallist in mixed doubles (with Sharath Kamal), Sreeja continues to be a formidable presence on the international circuit and will be looking to continue her upward trajectory at home.

Quadri Aruna (Nigeria)

Quadri Aruna is a pioneer for African table tennis, setting records and pushing boundaries with every tournament.

A three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medalist, he became the first African to reach the quarter-finals of both the Olympics (2016) and World Championships (2021).

In 2022, he made history by becoming the first African player to enter the top 10 of the men’s singles world rankings.

With his aggressive playing style and fearless approach, Aruna is a familiar figure for Indian table tennis fans, owing to his repeated appearances in Ultimate Table Tennis.

Adriana Diaz (Puerto Rico)

Hailing from a small Caribbean island of just 3.2 million people - less than that of Chennai - where baseball, basketball, boxing and football reign supreme, Adriana Diaz has forged her path in table tennis.

She made history as the first Puerto Rican player to qualify for the Olympics and has since dominated the Pan-American circuit, winning gold medals at the Pan-American Games, Pan-American Championships, Pan-American Cup and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Her success has not only elevated Puerto Rico’s presence in global table tennis but also scripted one of the sport’s best stories.

Manav Thakkar/Manush Shah (India)

Ranked ninth in the world, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah will enter WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 as the highest-ranked men’s double pair - marking the first time an Indian entry has held the top rank in any category across the Star Contender series.

The duo recently made history at the WTT Star Contender Doha 2025, becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to reach the semi-finals. Their rapid rise has set the stage for a strong title challenge on home soil.

Ayhika Mukherjee (India)

Known for her unorthodox playing style and mastery of anti-spin rubber, Ayhika Mukherjee has stunned even the world's best. She made headlines at the 2024 ITTF World Team Championships, defeating world No. 1 Sun Yingsha in a massive upset.

A year earlier, she partnered with Sutirtha Mukherjee to beat reigning world champions Wang Yidi and Meng Chen, securing India’s first-ever Asian Games women's doubles medal - a historic bronze in Hangzhou.

A direct qualifier for the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, Ayhika remains a disruptive force at the highest level, which few of the top players have found an answer to.

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