Ankur Bhattacharya cherishes his victory against Izuka, the current junior world number two paddler from Brazil. Ankur's individual gold in the under-17 category in the Star Contender World Table Tennis Championship in Rio came off a tremendous performance in the final where he defeated Izuka. 

Speaking to Parallel Sports from Rio on Sunday, Ankur revealed, "Izuka is a brilliant player. He is equally strong in both backhand and forehand. He has tremendous power and accuracy. Still, I overcame playing a psychological game. It was our first encounter. I should be thankful to my father and coach Anshuman Bhattacharya once again as he guided me while speaking over the phone from Kolkata, instructing me to execute a variation of speed in my game. That helped me to earn points. I started slowing the game sometimes, and offered him 'lose' deliveries sometimes. He was getting confused, and had to play from awkward positions which helped me to win finally." 

Ankur who lost to Izuka in the semifinal of the under-19 category had also defeated the current junior world number one from Korea, Lee Un in the quarterfinal of the same age group event. Ankur and Suhana Saini won the gold medal in the under-19 mixed doubles event. 

This was the first international double gold medal in a Youth Star Contender World Championship in recent years. Significantly, Ankur alone accumulated 1130 points from the Star Contender championship tour, held in Peru and Brazil which will earn qualification to participate in the Junior World Championship.

Ankur has already obtained the reward for his outstanding show. He has shot into the junior Indian squad for the upcoming junior Asian Championship in Doha, to be held from 17th to 22nd July.

Ankur also divulged that he was inspired more to have played the matches at Rio's Olympic Stadium. He said, "We played at Olympics Stadium. Our hotel is just opposite this historic stadium. The table tennis in Rio Olympics took place at the same venue. I also have started dreaming of donning India shirts and participating in the Olympics." 

But at the same time, Ankur divulged that they had a lot of difficulties in getting suitable food in both Peru and Rio. "We did not have any option than eating pizzas. Many of us did not have lunch for several days during this two-week trip in Peru and Brazil as pork and beef are the main foods here. We could not eat it."