BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — In a historic “cliff,” or table-hanger, Milpitas native Kanak Jha returned from the brink to seize the bronze medal in men’s table tennis at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires Wednesday. With that, Jha became the first American man to win a table tennis medal at either an Olympic or Youth Olympic match.
“To be honest, I knew going in it would be hard getting a medal. But I knew if I played my best game, I knew I had a chance. I was feeling rested and good, and I was really focused,” Jha told Patch by phone from Buenos Aires.
Jha, who will also compete in the team event Friday, worked for it competing against a player ranked No. 41 in the world. He’s ranked 67th. The teen, who trains at least four hours a day, insisted he put all his mental skills and athletic ability to work as a tactical player. He won in a see-saw competition, with the last medal-winning game tying three times in the last four points. Take a look:
Jha admits table tennis, or “ping pong” for novices, captures limited enthusiasm in the United States outside his immediate family. He wants to go pro and realizes that can only be done in Europe. He moved to Germany to connect with a club to gain a coach, support system and sponsorship opportunities. He once played in the World Champions Table Tennis Academy (WCTTA) in San Jose.
Jha’s sister Prachi, who now focuses on her studies at UC Berkeley, once played on a national team, and their parents both play.
His father, Arun Kanak, recalled how his son rose up from age 5, sidelining soccer to take after his sibling.
“By (age) 6, he had the footwork and eye-hand coordination, and we were recommended to have him play (competitively),” the elder Jha said. “He is so gifted. He’s got the tenacity, is a smart player and works hard.”
Jha watched his son grab the top ranking in the United States by 9 years old in his age group. The young man took high school classes online since he has traveled around the world for the sport. Both Kanak and Prachi took Cross Fit classes to stay in shape.
“What he did is almost impossible. He had all the odds stacked against him,” Jha said, referring to an early game in which his son was throttled by the competitor from China. “I was crying when I saw it. And to see those stars and stripes.”
The proud father and his wife never miss their son’s matches, even if it means from afar on a computer at 2 a.m.
“We have no social life,” his father quipped.
But they do have their original ping pong table. Perhaps, the Jhas represent the perfect table-tennis family of four since they all play.
The Olympic sport, which became a sanctioned competition in 1988, draws 16 million participants to 300 clubs in the nation. U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Tommy Schield said the sport is gaining in popularity.
–Images courtesy of the International Table Tennis Federation, “Butterfly” and Jha family