India’s Mudit Dani loves Lagos vibrant energy

Editor

Indian table tennis star Mudit Dani has become a familiar face at the WTT Contender Lagos, and his passion for the city has endeared him to fans.

The 27-year-old admits he cannot hide his excitement whenever he plays inside the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium, describing the atmosphere as truly unique.

“I love coming back to Lagos. The atmosphere is amazing — it’s really fun to play here. The crowd supports all the players, whether Nigerian or non-Nigerian, and the tournament is always well organised. That’s why I keep coming back,” Dani said

“The scheduling also works perfectly, as it usually falls at a time when there are no tournaments in India. I’ve played the last three editions, and I want to keep returning. For me, what makes this tournament stand out is simply the crowd,” the Indian star stressed.

Allied to the passionate fans, Dani praised Lagos for its warmth and hospitality.

 “I feel at home here. I know everyone now — the players, coaches, referees, organisers, and even the media. It’s amazing to play in front of a crowd that truly understands and appreciates table tennis. They support good play regardless of nationality, age or gender. The energy is unbelievable, and that’s why I’m here.”

Dani’s journey reflects both sporting excellence and academic distinction. He broke away from conventional corporate expectations to pursue table tennis, becoming the first boy from Mumbai to break into the ITTF Global Junior Circuit top 10 and winning his first international gold medal in El Salvador.

Dani’s rise continued at the senior level, with a breakthrough in 2019 when he clinched his first ITTF medal at the US Open Championships. Since then, he has represented India in more than 80 international tournaments, winning 36 medals, including eight golds.

Balancing sport with academics, Dani graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University and later earned a Master’s degree from NYU Stern. Today, he bridges the worlds of athletics, academia, and corporate leadership with equal passion — making him one of the most distinctive figures in Indian sport.

Photo: Mudit Dani