In a thrilling showdown, U Mumba TT secured their first Dream UTT Juniors title by defeating Dabang Delhi TTC 5-2 on Sunday at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. Ahona Ray, the team’s first overall draft pick, and rising star Somdev Sengupta played pivotal roles in this victory, marking a successful comeback after U Mumba’s runner-up finish in the tournament’s inaugural edition last year.
Final Score
Ahona recently returned to Goa after claiming yet another international title, having won the Under-15 Girls’ Singles championship at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Doha 2026. She finished off a remarkable week by securing the UTT Juniors title for U Mumba with a decisive 11-4 win over Sreejani Chakraborty in the final Girls’ Singles match.
Earlier in the competition, Somdev set the stage with a strong 2-1 victory against Himon Mondal. He then teamed up with Ahona to secure the Mixed Doubles title in a tough three-game contest. Their successes provided U Mumba with a significant lead, which Ahona capped off with her commanding performance.
“I’m really happy. Competing in UTT Juniors has always been a dream of mine, and winning the title makes it even more meaningful. Our coach provided tremendous support, and we owe a lot to him and the rest of the support staff. Our senior players motivated us throughout the tournament. They were there cheering for us during both the semifinals and the final, which really meant a lot,” remarked Somdev.
Match Summary: U Mumba TT 5-2 Dabang Delhi TTC
– Somdev Sengupta defeated Himon Mondal 2-1 (11-5, 11-10, 8-11)
– Somdev Sengupta/Ahona Ray defeated Himon Mondal/Sreejani Chakraborty 2-1 (11-9, 11-7, 9-11)
– Ahona Ray defeated Sreejani Chakraborty 1-0 (11-4)
Player Focus
The UTT Juniors, organized in conjunction with Season 7 of the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league, serves as a grassroots program designed to discover and cultivate future table tennis stars in India. This competition showcases the country’s most talented young players, who compete on behalf of the seven Butterfly UTT franchises. Participants gain essential experience within a professional, franchise-driven setting, sharing the spotlight with some of the top players from around the globe.
Team Analysis
During the press conference, Ahona expressed her excitement about winning the title, stating, “This victory is a result of our collective effort. We owe a huge thanks to Somdev, our coaching staff, and everyone involved in our support. Our coach reminded us that U Mumba had secured the runners-up position last year and encouraged us to enjoy the game and stay true to our style of play. I am thankful to everyone for their contributions. Sharing the training field with veteran players has been a rewarding experience, as their support has been invaluable.”
