" GOLDEN JUBILEE " Of A Feat In Table - Tennis Of An " UNSUNG " Hero :: The ONLY One From " INDIA " And Karnataka

Pic - :: 1974, Yokohama, B.K.Arun Kumar With His  " BEST SPORTSMAN " Of Asian Table Tennis Championship, 1974 ,  And The Runners-Up Trophy In The Boys Singles Event Of Asian Table Tennis Championship 

Unsung Hero: B K Arun Kumar& :: Journey in Table Tennis

Revisiting a Forgotten Hero

HE IS THE ONLY " ONE " IN THE ANNALS OF INDIAN TABLE TENNIS HISTORY TO PLAY A FINALS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN ANY INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS EVENT SO FAR

Table Tennis, often called the ;fastest sport in the world,&; is an incredible showcase

of athleticism, precision, and strategic brilliance. Played on a compact table with a

net in the centre, using a lightweight ball and paddle, this sport demands lightning-

fast reflexes, strategic agility, and impeccable hand-eye coordination. Amidst the

resonating thud of the ball and the swift exchanges across the table, Table Tennis

has produced numerous unsung heroes. Their remarkable journeys are truly

inspiring and deserve recognition.

In sports, we often witness the rise of remarkable individuals whose incredible skills

and achievements leave a lasting legacy. Yet, as time goes by, the memory of these

unsung heroes tends to fade. Some may argue that recognizing these forgotten

champions requires substantial effort, leading to skepticism and disbelief. However,

we must overcome these hurdles to celebrate and honor exceptional talents like Mr.

B.K. Arun Kumar. Fortunately, in the case of Arun Kumar, the , oh ! , he deserves  a renewed interest

in championing, and  his rightful recognition.

1974 Triumph in Yokohama: An Unforgettable Asian Table Tennis

Championship

The Mukherjee sisters were the first Indian duo to overcome the top-ranked team in

their category, securing a spot in the semi-finals of the Asian Games held in

Hangzhou in 2023. Their groundbreaking feat garnered widespread attention, but such

triumphs often fade quickly from public memory. Unfortunately, many remarkable

achievements from the past are often overlooked, including the incredible journey of

Arun Kumar B.K. from Karnataka, who etched his name in history during the 1974

Asian Table Tennis Championship in Yokohama, Japan.

Arun Kumar's  journey began with the Junior India National Championship triumph in

1974, which he repeated the following year. He lacked seeding in the 1974 Asian

Table Tennis Championship due to his lack of international representation, but he

showcased his prowess by reaching the semi-finals. He faced a formidable Chinese

opponent and emerged as the World Champion in the boys; category. Contrary to

expectations, Arun Kumar delivered a remarkable performance, defeating the

Chinese champion in straight sets and causing a sensation in the Japanese media.

The championship culminated in a riveting final where Arun Kumar faced the rising

Japanese star, Mr. Ono. Although the finals were anticipated to be one-sided, the

match unfolded into an intense battle. With both players securing two sets each, the

final set saw Ono leading 20-11, needing just one point for victory. However, Arun

Kumar, displaying extraordinary sportsmanship and defensive skills, staged a

remarkable comeback. The match reached a gripping 20-20 tie, featuring a

breathtaking 64-shot rally on the 40th point. Ultimately, the referee deemed Ono

powerful backhand shot, which seemed to defy the table edge, valid, awarding him

the victory at 21 - 19  . Arun Kumar journey in this championship is a testament to his

skill, resilience, and the enduring allure of sportsmanship .

Sportsmanship on Display: The 64-Shot Rally and a Noble Gesture

In a compelling display of sportsmanship, a timeless illustration for which Indians

have garnered international acclaim, a pivotal moment unfolded after a staggering

64-shot rally between Arun Kumar and his opponent, Ono. Following a seemingly

decisive backhand stroke that spectators believed had ventured off the table court,

the referee declared a tie at 20-20. However, Arun Kumar, possessing an

exceptional eye for detail, observed the ball grazing the end corner of the table ever

so faintly and softly. Demonstrating the highest ethical standards, he voluntarily

approached the umpire and elucidated that Ono had secured the last point with this

subtle yet legitimate move. Thus, the game concluded at 21-19 in favour of the

Japanese player, marking a historical instance in the Intercontinental Table Tennis

tournament and establishing Arun Kumar as the first Indian to reach the finals in any

category.

This act of sportsmanship resonates as a unique feat in Indian table tennis history,

unmatched by any Indian participant before or since. The recently concluded Asian

Games witnessed a commendable effort by the Mukherjee sisters from Bengal, who

came tantalizingly close to replicating such a milestone in the Women's  doubles.

Despite their remarkable journey, the opportunity slipped away in the semifinals

against the North Korean pair. Arun Kumar's enduring legacy is a testament to the

indelible mark made by those who prioritize fair play and integrity in competitive

sports.

Recognition and Scholarships: Indian Airlines and Arun Kumar&::  Path to

Success

In Indian sports, the Indian Airlines team etched a historic chapter in hockey from

1968 to 1974, and their success transcended into diverse sports arenas.

Recognizing Arun Kumar's potential, the airline authorities introduced a Sports

Scholarship, an opportunity swiftly seized by Arun Kumar. Choosing to align with

Indian Airlines not as an employee but as a player, he dedicated himself to

representing them in Table Tennis. Simultaneously managing his sporting

commitments, Arun Kumar completed his engineering degree in Bangalore. Amidst

his journey, he secured another scholarship from the United States, albeit with a

limited timeframe.

Pic - :: B , K Arun Kumar In Action Against North Korea In The Team Events Of Asian Table Tennis Championship 

Post the monumental exploit in 1974, Arun Kumar continued his winning streak by

clinching the Boys Singles title at the 1975 National Table Tennis Championship. His

representation for India in the 1980 Asian Table Tennis championship at Kolkata

marked another significant milestone. A crucial juncture unfolded in the Quarter-

Finals against North Korea, where the formidable opponents, expected to secure the

team championship, faced an unexpected 4-2 deficit after the sixth game. Arun

Kumar played a pivotal role in this surprising turn of events. A momentous episode

during the 1975 World Table Tennis Championship in Kolkata saw renowned players

discussing defending techniques. The emergence of a new defensive strategy,

highlighted in Arun Kumar's style during the 1974 Asian Boys finals, became a

game-changer. This innovative defensive approach was later dubbed as ;THE ART OF

DEFENCE by legends such as Draugutin Surbek and Istavan Joniyer,the ultimate champion . of the 1975 World Table Tennis Championship, held at Netaji Inddor Stadium, Kolkatta , reshaping the

conventional belief that aggressive attacking was the sole path to victory in table

tennis.

The Ascent in Academics

Arun Kumar then moved to the U.S. for his Master's, and he played this game in the

U.S. to comply with his scholarship terms. He played this game in the U.S. for five

long years. While pursuing his post-graduate degree, he continued playing Table

Tennis in the States and was ranked high in the U.S. Men's  category and defeated

all the top players at that time except the five-time National Champion Danny

Seemiller.

After completing his studies in the U.S., he chose to serve the U.S. world-ranking

organization, and he had a brilliant career in the job as well, much ado and like his

studies. He gave up playing Table tennis, and in his position, he had a brilliant career

with various executive roles in leading Fortune 500 companies.

Corporate Career and Leadership Roles: A Legacy Uncelebrated ?

His career was the most luminaries of the very successful organization with

Himalayan records of success, and Arun Kumar was as brilliant as his game in his

job in this multi-millionaire organization. One would be surprised to read these

names, but these are the facts about his tremendous job career, including FedEx,

Dell Inc., Amazon, and L.G.Electronics. He was the first Managing Director of FedEx

India, appointed in 1997, and was responsible for launching direct service in India.

He served as Executive Director at Dell for six years in Austin, Texas. He was also

the Chief Operating Officer at L.G. Electronics, USA.

To conclude the article, it is worth mentioning that in 1978, the Indian table tennis

player, Ms Indu Puri, achieved a significant victory by defeating Pak Youn Sun Kim,

the reigning World Table Tennis Champion of 1977 from North Korea. The event

took place during an invitational Table Tennis championship, which showcased the

remarkable skills of both players. While the tournament was not a continental or an

intercontinental event, Ms Indu Puri's triumph over the world champion, PakYun Soun Kim in 1978,  is a testament to her exceptional talent and hard work.

That Is It and that speaks all about it . 

Regards and Thanks

Pics

Mr Shyamal Bhattacharjee, the author was born at West Chirimiri Colliery at District Surguja, Chattisgarh on July 6th 1959 He received his early education at Carmel Convent School Bishrampur and later at Christ Church Boys' Higher Secondary School at Jabalpur. He later joined Hislop College at Nagpur and completed his graduation in Science and he also added a degree in  B A thereafter. He joined the HITAVADA, a leading dailies of Central India at Nagpur as a      Sub-Editor ( Sports ) but gave up to complete his MBA in 1984 He thereafter added a Diploma In Export Management. He has authored SIX  books namely Notable Quotes and Noble Thought published by Pustak Mahal in 2001 Indian Cricket : Faces That Changed It  published by Manas Publications in 2009 and Essential Of Office Management published by NBCA, Kolkatta  in 2012, GOLDEN QUOTES on Inspiration, Sorrow, Peace and Life, published by B.F.C Publications, Lucknow, and QUOTES:: Evolution and Origin of Management Electives by Clever Fox Publishing, Chennai and From Dhyan To Dhan :: Indian Hockey - Sudden Death Or Extra Time published by Clever Fox Publishing House  . He has a experience of about 35 years in Marketing .

Signature Of Shyamal Bhattacharjee 

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