Manika Batra – Table tennis India’s Olympic Contenders for Paris 2024

Manika Batra -Table Tennis

“Champions Unveiled: India’s Olympic Contenders for Paris 2024”-Part 5

Manika Batra, an Indian table tennis player, has established herself with a shakehand grip style. She achieved her highest ranking of 24 and currently holds the 26th position as of May 2024.

Personal Information

Full Name: Manika Batra
Nationality: Indian
Born: 15 June 1995 (age 29)
Birthplace: Delhi, India
Height: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) (2018)
Weight: 67 kg (148 lb) (2018)

Table Tennis Career

Playing Style: Shakehand grip
Highest Ranking: 24
Current Ranking: 26 (27 May 2024)

Manika Batra -Born on 15 June 1995 in Delhi, India, stands as a prominent figure in Indian women’s table tennis, currently ranked 28th globally in the women’s singles category and the second-highest ranked female paddler from India. Her breakthrough came during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where she secured an impressive haul of two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. That same year, she also earned a bronze medal at the Asian Games, further cementing her reputation on the international stage.

As she prepares for her third Olympic appearance at Paris 2024, her ability to challenge and defeat top-ranked players, such as her notable victory over World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China, underscores her potential. In Paris, she will compete in both the women’s singles and women’s team events, aiming to showcase her skills and contribute to India’s TT aspirations on the global platform.

Prior to this feat, Batra had already stamped her mark by winning three gold medals at the 2016 South Asian Games and making her Olympic debut at Rio 2016. Despite early offers in modelling during her teenage years, she remained steadfast in her dedication to TT, a sport she began playing with her siblings from a young age in Delhi.

Batra’s ambitions extend beyond personal accolades; she aims to elevate the profile of TT in India, drawing inspiration from the achievements of PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal in badminton. Reflecting on her goals, Batra envisions a future where table tennis gains the same level of recognition and admiration nationwide as badminton has achieved. Her journey continues to inspire a new generation of aspiring athletes in India and beyond. https://globalbuzznetwork.com/indias-champions-at-paris-olympics-2024/

Career Highlights

Manika Batra has carved a remarkable career in TT, showcasing her prowess on both national and international stages:

• Early Successes: In 2011, She clinched the silver medal in the under-21 category at the Chile Open, marking an early milestone in her career.
• Commonwealth and Asian Games: She represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2014 Asian Games, solidifying her presence in international tournaments. At the 2015 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, Batra won three medals, including silver in women’s team and doubles events, and bronze in singles.
• South Asian Games Dominance (2016): She made history at the 2016 South Asian Games by securing three gold medals in women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and women’s team events. She also claimed a silver in women’s singles, demonstrating her versatility and competitive spirit.
• Olympic Journey (2016 and 2020): Qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she represented India in the women’s singles event. Despite early challenges, her participation marked a significant achievement in Indian table tennis. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she reached the third round of the women’s singles, becoming the first Indian paddler to achieve this feat in an Olympic singles event.
• Commonwealth Games Triumph (2018): She played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal victory against Singapore at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, defeating top-ranked players and becoming the first Indian woman to secure a Commonwealth table tennis individual gold medal. She also won silver in women’s doubles at the same event.
• Continued Success: In 2021, she partnered with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran to win the WTT Contender Budapest mixed doubles and the WTT Contender Lasko women’s doubles titles, showcasing her consistency and skill in doubles competitions.
• Recent Achievements: Batra reached the quarter-finals in women’s doubles at the 2022 WTT Grand Smash Singapore event and secured silver in mixed doubles at the WTT Contender Doha 2022.

Rankings and Recognition

• World Rankings: On 5 April 2022, Batra and Archana Girish Kamath achieved a world ranking of No. 4 in women’s doubles, marking the highest-ever ranking by Indian table tennis players across all categories.

Manika Batra’s journey continues to inspire, highlighting her resilience, dedication, and ongoing contributions to Indian table tennis on the global stage.

https://olympics.com/en/original-series/episode/manika-batra-table-tennis-at-olympics-highlights