Published: July 20, 2026 at 8:50 am
HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades strengthened their playoff push with a convincing 10-5 victory over UP Prometheans in the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 powered by ChatGPT in Goa on Sunday. Kolkata’s Indian duo of Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee starred once again.
Bernie Szocs, Syndrela Das ensure Dempo Goa stay unbeaten with thrilling 8-7 win over Pune
Ankur swept Manav Thakkar before combining with Ayhika to maintain their unbeaten mixed doubles record, laying the platform for Kolkata’s win.
Ankur Bhattacharjeev swept Manav Thakkar before combining with Ayhika Mukherjee to maintain their unbeaten mixed doubles record, laying the platform for Kolkata’s win. Pics: Butterfly UTT
Kolkata seized control from the outset as Ankur edged Manav in successive Golden Point games before cruising through the third to complete a straight-games victory. Zeng Jian then overcame Swastika Ghosh in three games, while Ankur and Ayhika continued their unbeaten run in mixed doubles to move Kolkata within touching distance of the victory.
UP found a response through Ricardo Walther, who blanked Eduonard Iescu in straight games to keep the contest alive. But Ayhika ensured there would be no late comeback, defeating Sayali Wani in straight games to seal another crucial victory for Kolkata. Ankur was named the ChatGPT Match IQ Player and Indian Player of the Tie, while Walther took home the Foreign Player of the Tie award. Ayhika earned the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honour.
Ricardo Walther blanked Eduonard Iescu in straight games to keep the contest alive
Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, Butterfly UTT Season 7 features 42 players from around the world, including 14 Olympians, while continuing to strengthen the Indian table tennis ecosystem through elite competition and year-round development initiatives.
Result: HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades beat UP Prometheans 10-5
Ankur Bhattacharjee beat Manav Thakkar 3-0 (11-10, 11-10, 11-3); Zeng Jian beat Swastika Ghosh 2-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-8); Ankur Bhattacharjee/Ayhika Mukherjee beat Ricardo Walther/Swastika Ghosh 2-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-8); Eduard Ionescu lost to Ricardo Walther 0-3 (9-11, 8-11, 8-11); Ayhika Mukherjee beat Sayali Wani 3-0 (11-8, 11-10, 11-7).
