Archana Kamath: Olympian Who Made History in Paris Quits Playing at 24 Due to...

Archana Kamath, the Indian paddler who made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Table Tennis Championships, has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 24.

Kamath, who won a bronze medal in the women's doubles event at the 2019 World Championships, cited injuries and a desire to focus on her personal life as reasons for her decision.

In a statement released on social media, Kamath said, "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from professional table tennis. This decision has not been made lightly, and it has been a difficult one for me."

Kamath, who is ranked 52nd in the world in women's singles, has been a member of the Indian national team since 2016. She has won numerous medals at the national and international level, including a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Kamath's retirement is a major blow to Indian table tennis. She was one of the country's top players and was expected to be a medal contender at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

However, Kamath said that she has decided to put her health and personal life first.

"I have been struggling with injuries for the past few years, and I have decided that it is time for me to focus on my health and my personal life," she said.

Kamath's retirement is a reminder of the challenges that female athletes face in India. Many female athletes are forced to retire early due to a lack of support and resources.

However, Kamath is determined to continue to be involved in table tennis in some capacity.

"I love table tennis, and I will continue to be involved in the sport in some way," she said.