Commonwealth Games, where he was selected for a 16-member probables training camp. It was the break Sharath Kamal needed to launch his career at the age of 20. Although he was not selected for main squad the experience at the camp gave him confidence and the exposure to top-level players made him better. Sharath Kamal made it to the final of the senior national championships in 2002 and though he lost, he was soon drafted into the national team. 2003: World Championships Debut Sharath was selected for 2003 World Table Tennis Championships alongside Chetan Baboor and Sourav Chakraborty. This was his first world championships appearance and his first major tournament. He defeated Tahiti's Sylvain Motahu 11–3, 11–3, 11–4, 11–7 in the first group stage match. This was his first world championships win. He also won men's doubles first round match with Chetan Baboor defeating Santoago Coste and Hector Berrios of Puerto Rico 9–11, 11–7, 11–6, 11–4. But lost mixed doubles first round match with Pradeera Thiruuengadam to Indika Silva and Deepika Rodrigo of Sri Lanka 11–8, 10–12, 8–11, 11–9, 8–11. He then scored a straight-games win over Lithuania's Arturas Orlovas, winning 11–4, 11–4, 13–11, 12–10 to qualify for main draw. He made a promising start against 57th ranked Christophe Legout of France as he won the opening game 11–2. But the Frenchman overcame the early hiccups to take the next four games 11–6, 11–6, 15–13, 11-6 comfortably to win the match 4-1 and end Sharath's campaign. 2004: Olympics, South Asian Games Debut and Commonwealth Championships Gold Sharath was selected for 2004 World Team Table Tennis Championships. India played in second division of the championship. In the first match against Slovenia he defeated S Ignjatovic 3-2(4-11 12-10 11-9 6-11 11–8) as India opened their account by defeating Slovenia 3–2. India lost their next match against Slovakia. In the next match against Portugal he easily won his match against João Monteiro in straight games 4-0(13-11, 11–7, 11–7) as India comfortably won the match 3–0. He defeated El-sayed Lashin 3-2(10-12, 3–11, 11–8, 15–13, 11–8) and S Diaa by 3-2(7-11, 11–9, 9–11, 11–8, 11–6) as India won the match by same margin against Egypt in last group stage match. Sharath Kamal was selected to represent India at 2004 South Asian Games. This was his South Asian Games debut. He won the team event gold as India thrashed Pakistan in the gold medal match 3–0.