Manav Thakkar, currently ranked world No. 37, stands as India’s highest ranked table tennis player. His rise has been marked by grit and milestones: from cadet beginnings to achieving the coveted World No. 1 spot in both ITTF U-18 and U-21 men’s singles.
Along the way, he has notched several firsts — becoming the first Indian male to reach the semifinals of a WTT Star Contender in Chennai, and, with Manush Shah, the first Indian pair to reach a Grand Smash semifinal at the Singapore Smash.
Now rubbing shoulders with the world’s elite, Thakkar competes at both club and international levels, including as a teammate of the Lebrun brothers at Alliance Nîmes Montpellier in France’s premier league.
The 26-year-old returns to Lagos for his third appearance at the WTT Contender, having featured in 2023 and 2024. With the 2024 men’s doubles crown already to his name, he is determined to make the singles podium this time against a strong field of top players.
Thakkar draws confidence from the roiling vibrancy of Lagos, which he says inspires him to push harder: “WTT Contender Lagos is one of the tournaments I love to attend because the timing is always good for me and the quality of players is another major reason I love to compete. I featured in the previous two editions, winning the men’s doubles in 2024 and reaching the singles quarterfinals. This year, I believe I can make something happen in the men’s singles.”
Thakkar also likens Lagos to home, praising the fans and organisation: “In terms of atmosphere, it feels a bit like India. What I love about Lagos is that the fans understand the game and know the players well — that’s a huge encouragement. The organisation and everything else here is top class.”
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