The daughters of our nation have been performing exceptionally well at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Yesterday Manu Bhaker created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting.
Today Manika Batra created history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the Round of 16 in Table Tennis Women’s Singles event.
Manika Batra who is ranked 28th in the world, beat world No. 18 Prithika Pavade 4-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in the Round of 32 match at the South Paris Arena 4 in the French capital.
The 29-year-old who clinched a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, dominated the game from the start.
She won four straight sets and announced herself as one of the strongest contenders to win an Olympic medal.
Manika surpassed her previous best performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the Tokyo Olympics Manika had become the first Indian woman to reach the Round of 32.
India’s Sreeja Akula had also won her match 4-0 in the Round of 64 and had advanced to the Round of 32.
She will be playing her Round of 32 match on 31st July, Wednesday, at the South Paris Arena 4 against Singapore’s Jian Zeng.
If Sreeja Akula wins, she too will be advancing to the Round of 16 match. The Round of 16 matches will be played on 31st July, Wednesday.
All Indian sports enthusiasts would love to see both the daughters of our nation achieve a podium finish and add Olympic glory to their careers.
We wish them all the very best and may their spectacular form continue in and beyond the Olympic Games.