Divija Paul Clinches Bronze at National Ranking Table Tennis Championship
India's No.1 U13 paddler Divija Paul secures bronze in Panchkula and eyes Olympic gold with support from Adani Sportsline.
India's top-ranked Under-13 table tennis prodigy, Divija Paul, has added another accolade to her growing trophy cabinet by securing a bronze medal in the U13 Girls category at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship. The tournament, held in Panchkula from October 6 to 13, 2026, saw the young star maintain her dominance in the domestic circuit.
A Full-Circle Moment in Panchkula
For Divija, the victory in Panchkula was more than just a medal; it was an emotional homecoming. It was in this very city back in 2023 that she clinched the National Championship in the U11 category—a pivotal victory that she credits as the catalyst for her decision to pursue table tennis as a professional career.
"Panchkula is where I won my first national title, so returning here and finishing on the podium feels really special. I wanted to go one step further, but I am proud of this bronze, and I will learn from every match I played," Divija shared.
A Global Rising Star
The bronze in Panchkula follows a string of high-profile international and national successes. Divija recently captured the gold medal in the U13 individual category at the WTT Youth Contender Puerto Princesa 2026 in the Philippines. Her trajectory of excellence began earlier with gold medal finishes in both U11 and U13 categories at the WTT Youth Contender events in Vadodara across 2025 and 2026.
Her domestic record is equally impressive, featuring:
- The champion title in the U13 category at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Delhi (2025).
- The U13 doubles title at the UTT National Table Tennis Championship in Gandhidham (2025).
From Silchar to the World Stage
Born in Silchar, Assam, Divija's journey began at the age of six, sparked by watching her cousin play at a local club tournament. A Class VII student at KVS Silchar, she comes from a supportive family; her father, Dibyendu Paul, is with BSNL, and her mother, Deepshikha Paul, serves as a government school teacher.
Currently ranked No.1 in India for the Under-13 category, Divija looks up to China's Sun Yingsha, admiring her confidence and technical playing style as she molds her own game.
Fueling the Olympic Dream with 'Garv Hai'
The young athlete has recently joined the "Garv Hai" roster of Adani Sportsline. This partnership is set to remove significant hurdles that often plague young athletes in India. Through this initiative, Divija will now have access to:
- World-class sporting equipment.
- Financial and logistical support for national and international travel.
- Professional strength and conditioning programs.
Divija expressed deep gratitude for the support, noting that while her parents and coaches had done everything possible, the professional backing from Adani Sportsline will ease the pressure of equipment and travel costs. Her ultimate ambition is clear: to bring home an Olympic gold medal for India.
What's Next for the Prodigy?
With the Panchkula event concluded, Divija is not slowing down. Her immediate focus shifts to upcoming competitions, including the WTT Youth Contender Championship in Chennai and the UTT National Ranking Championship in Jalandhar.