The latest episode of Backstage with Boria Season 4 features star Indian table tennis player Manika Batra. With the WTT Star Contender Goa 2023, set to begin from February 27, all eyes will be on Manika as she will spearhead the Indian challenge in Women’s singles with Sreeja Akula and Suhana Saini. But her biggest motivation is to win a medal in Paris 2024 in the mixed doubles category pairing with Sathiyan Gnansekaran. The current Mixed Doubles World Ranked No 5 are India’s best bet in Table Tennis in Paris 2024
Manika Batra on Backstage with Boria Season 4 said, “Our goal is to win medal over there. I have to take one step at a time because my main aim is Olympics. Our focus is the tournaments ahead as we need to improve our rankings as well. If we keep on working like this, we are sure to do well in Paris 2024. Our bonding is really nice. We understand each other during the match and off it as well. That’s the most important aspect in a doubles game. All I can say we will strive hard to win that medal in Olympics.”
“My main aim is Olympics…” @manikabatra_TT who is eying medal in the Paris #Olympics speaks about ups and downs in her career, her thoughts on mental health and much more in this exclusive interaction with @BoriaMajumdar @AgeasFederal @Wowmomo4u @BSV_Global #Tabletennis pic.twitter.com/3lmDuU5Jq6
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) February 27, 2023
The 20-year-old has seen many highs and lows and also involved in controversy but she has taken it in her stride. According to Manika, “Off course I was upset I couldn’t win medal for India at the Commonwealth Games. I started talking to myself and said it was okay to lose sometimes. It has happened to most players and they have bounced back after that. At that time my family was there to support me and it helped me immensely. I told myself that I have to keep on going, keep working harder. Table Tennis is my love and will always be. The support I got from my family and well-wishers kept pushing me.”