Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Hitesh Dolwani’s Finland Triumph Fuels His Olympic Dream
Hitesh Dolwani is a 49-year-old para table tennis player from Hyderabad.
He recently won an important tournament in Finland.
To win, he beat players from several countries.
His semifinal was especially difficult because he was losing after three games.
He stayed calm and won the next two games.
In the final, he beat Julien Cigolloti from France.
Dolwani started playing table tennis in 1986 but took a 23-year break from the sport.
He returned to para table tennis at age 43 and soon became a national champion.
Now, he hopes to represent India at the Olympics.
At 49, Hyderabad’s Hitesh Dolwani is India’s No. 1 para table tennis player.
Dolwani won the World Para Future Table Tennis tournament in Finland after defeating players from Ireland, Brazil, Great Britain and France.
He overcame Britain’s Maximillian Flint in a five-game semifinal after trailing 1–2.
Dolwani defeated France’s Julien Cigolloti 3–1 in the final to claim the title.
Ranked World No. 23 and Asian No. 11, he is targeting selection for the Olympics.
- Who
- Hitesh Dolwani, India’s No. 1 para table tennis player from Hyderabad.
- What
- He won the World Para Future Table Tennis tournament in Finland.
- When
- At age 49, during his latest international title campaign.
- Where
- The tournament was held in Finland.
- Why
- He is pursuing international success and hopes to meet the selection criteria to represent India at the Olympics.
- Age
- 49
- Sport
- Para table tennis
- Event won
- World Para Future Table Tennis tournament
- Current rankings
- World No. 23 and Asian No. 11
- Classification
- Class 10
- Para national titles
- Five consecutive Para National Championships
- Olympic goal
- To qualify for selection and represent India