Teammate to Know: Hari Teja Narayanabhatla

For Hari Teja Narayanabhatla, table tennis isn’t just a favorite sport. It’s a passion full of “endless possibilities for improvement and mastery.” Because of that mindset and his skillsets, he’s currently listed as one of the top five players in Atlanta and regularly competes against the best players and coaches.

Hari shares how his father and another game, badminton, inspired him to pick up his paddles and what table tennis has taught him about achieving championship status at work.

(His answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.)

How did you become interested in and then passionate about table tennis?

I come from a sports-oriented family, with my father, Subhash Chandra, being a professional badminton player who still competes in corporate tournaments and challenges younger players. His dedication to the sport and constant drive to improve have always inspired me to stay active and understand the benefits of playing sports.

Table tennis caught my interest because of its fast-paced nature, requiring quick reflexes and sharp hand-eye coordination. The game constantly keeps you on the edge, demanding focus and responsiveness, which I found both challenging and exciting.

Watching great players in tournaments, I was in awe of their style, tactics, and precision; it was truly inspiring!

What do you enjoy most about the game?

What I enjoy most about table tennis is the way it connects people from different cultures and helps me be more outspoken.  The sport has played a huge role in helping me step out of my shell and explore the world beyond my comfort zone.

It has also taught me how to make the most of life, even with limited resources. Unlike many players today, I didn’t have special coaching, so during tournaments, I had to be my own coach, calming myself, analyzing my opponents, and strategizing my gameplay.

One of the setbacks you’ve had is pausing your table tennis activities to pursue your education. Tell us about that and how your twin brother helped you get back into the game.

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my table tennis journey was pausing my peak career – at age 16 – to pursue my education. My parents always emphasized the importance of education and kept a close check to ensure I wasn’t getting too absorbed in table tennis. At the time, this felt frustrating, but as the years passed, I came to understand the significance of the breaks I took.

Later, I joined my undergraduate university team, where my twin brother and I pursued our passion together. His insights and constructive feedback helped me refine my game, and together with our teammates, we competed in the Zonal National Interuniversity Table Tennis Championships organized by the Association of Indian Universities.

Are you in a league today?

Currently, I am part of the Atlanta Georgia Table Tennis Academy (AGTTA) in Norcross, Ga, where I regularly compete in a 10-week league. I also participate in various international and U.S. ranking team tournaments, which require teamwork and collaboration with other skilled players.

"Whether in sports or my profession, my goal is to keep improving and to help others grow along the way."

- Hari Teja Narayanabhatla

What do you do for work?

As a data scientist in the treasury organization under risk, part of my responsibilities include:

• Connecting with internal and external audit teams to ensure the reliability and accuracy of financial reporting – essentially performing Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) controls.
• Delivering data for several retail portfolios to several downstream models using historical data to forecast future trends and events – also known as Predictive Analytics Data (PAD).

What is your personal purpose and how does your passion influence your approach to your work?

My personal purpose is to continuously learn, grow, and contribute—both in my professional career and in giving back to society in any way I can. My work revolves around solving complex problems, making data-driven decisions, and adapting to new challenges. In many ways, table tennis complements this mindset by sharpening my ability to think quickly, analyze situations in real time, and adapt to different playing styles—skills that directly translate into my professional work.

Beyond my career, I strongly believe in giving back to society, even in the smallest ways. This is why I dedicate time to volunteering, helping others learn table tennis, including individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Seeing the joy and confidence it brings to them reinforces my belief that small efforts can make a big impact. Whether in sports or in my profession, my goal is to keep improving and to help others grow along the way.

On the lighter side:

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Florida any day! Love for the beaches, hate for the tanning, scared of the alligators and enjoy dancing with strangers.

What other hobby would you like to try:

Art - I love art! I used to do some sketching and painting till a certain age. I used to be in a zone when I was doing it.