Poymantee Baisya never thought she would be returning to her Hind Motor residence as a national champion.

The 21-year-old table tennis player, who represents Railway Sports Promotion Board, did just that defeating Ayhika Mukherjee 4-2 in the final of the 85th senior national table tennis championships in Panchkula, Haryana, on Friday.

“No, I did not think I would be the national champion. But yes, I was confident of doing well,” Baisya said on Saturday. Baisya was on a roll in this Nationals, defeating Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medal winner Sreeja Akula in the semi-finals before getting the better of Ayhika. She also won the doubles title partnering Sutirtha Mukherjee. Add to that medals in the mixed doubles and team events.

Now ranked ninth in the country, Baisya is expected to move up the ladder after her Panchkula exploits. “Could be in top-five,” she said. Baisya’s first senior India team assignment was the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2023 held in Chengdu, China earlier this month. “I want to wear the national team shirt more often,” she said.

RSPB coach Anindita Chakraborty, under whom Baisya trained during her formative years, heaped praise on the paddler.

“She is a fast learner,” Chakraborty said.