NEW DELHI: Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, influenced by her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, is preparing for the Paris Games with a revamped strategy, focusing on taking one match at a time to avoid past mistakes. Batra aims to build on her achievements, including her team’s historic qualification, by emphasising preparation and steady progress.
Reflecting on her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, Batra highlighted her growth and new approach. “I have learnt a lot of things from the last Olympics and I am not going to repeat those mistakes. My mindset has changed since then, I am calmer and more confident in myself,” she told PTI in an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT).
While playing for PBG Bengaluru Smashers in the UTT, Batra has been honing his stamina and agility. He emphasised his ultimate ambition saying, “My ultimate aim is to challenge for a medal. But I will go slow. I will try to be in that zone and give my best. I will take it round by round and not think of a medal too soon. I will give my best for my country.”
Batra’s contributions were key in helping the Indian women’s team secure their first ever qualification for the Paris Olympics. She recently showcased her skills by reaching the quarter-finals of the WTT Saudi Smash in May, where she defeated World No. 2 and former World Champion Wang Manyu of China and World No. 14 Nina Mittelham of Germany.
“India has qualified for the first time (for the Olympics), it is a great achievement. I am very happy with the way we are working together (in the camp). I think we have a chance to win a medal and we should give our best,” Batra said.
Batra also spoke about the positive development of women’s table tennis in India, and attributed part of this development to the UTT. This platform has allowed young players to gain invaluable exposure by practising and competing against international stars. “The UTT has really helped us because we can practise with foreign players, play matches (against them). We get good match practice,” she noted.
India will compete in individual and team table tennis events in Paris.
Reflecting on her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, Batra highlighted her growth and new approach. “I have learnt a lot of things from the last Olympics and I am not going to repeat those mistakes. My mindset has changed since then, I am calmer and more confident in myself,” she told PTI in an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT).
While playing for PBG Bengaluru Smashers in the UTT, Batra has been honing his stamina and agility. He emphasised his ultimate ambition saying, “My ultimate aim is to challenge for a medal. But I will go slow. I will try to be in that zone and give my best. I will take it round by round and not think of a medal too soon. I will give my best for my country.”
Batra’s contributions were key in helping the Indian women’s team secure their first ever qualification for the Paris Olympics. She recently showcased her skills by reaching the quarter-finals of the WTT Saudi Smash in May, where she defeated World No. 2 and former World Champion Wang Manyu of China and World No. 14 Nina Mittelham of Germany.
“India has qualified for the first time (for the Olympics), it is a great achievement. I am very happy with the way we are working together (in the camp). I think we have a chance to win a medal and we should give our best,” Batra said.
Batra also spoke about the positive development of women’s table tennis in India, and attributed part of this development to the UTT. This platform has allowed young players to gain invaluable exposure by practising and competing against international stars. “The UTT has really helped us because we can practise with foreign players, play matches (against them). We get good match practice,” she noted.
India will compete in individual and team table tennis events in Paris.
