Manika Batra strives to make it big at Paris Olympics

Manika Batra, the poster girl of Indian table tennis, continues to make waves in the sport. As a rising star, she has her sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympics. She has recently achieved her career-best world ranking of No. 24. At the Saudi Smash tournament, she made headlines by defeating World No. 2 Wang Manyu from China.

Although she couldn’t advance past the quarters, this victory has boosted her confidence and motivation for the upcoming Olympics. The Paris Olympics will be Manika’s third consecutive appearance at the games. Her primary goal remains consistent: to win a medal for India. She is determined to give her 100 percent effort, leaving no room for regrets.

Manika wants to surprise herself, aiming for a few upsets and a strong performance in Paris. Manika is working on her forehand technique with her coach, Aman Balgu. Rather than introducing new aspects to her game, she is strengthening her strong points. Physical fitness and stamina are crucial for reaching the final rounds, and she emphasizes mental preparation as well.

 Her consistent performances have propelled her to new heights, and she aims to maintain this upward trajectory. During her college days, Manika received modeling offers. But she was not distracted. She chose to prioritize her athletic career over modeling. But she has her eyes set on Bollywood. Once her table tennis career concludes, she may move forward.

In the event of winning a medal at Paris this July, we may find her soon along the side of her favorite actors  Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, and Salman Khan.