In a historic match, Manika Batra became the first Indian table tennis player to reach the singles pre-quarterfinals at the Olympic Games. She dominated from start to finish in a fluent 4-0 win over Prithika Pavade, who has Indian roots but was born and currently resides in France. Manika's strong attack and consistent performance proved too much for the home favorite, who had previously made it to the WTT final for the first time in her career. This win marks a significant step for Manika and Indian table tennis on the global stage.
Manika Batra Makes History as First Indian to Reach Olympics Table Tennis Pre-Quarterfinals
Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has made history by becoming the first player from her country to reach the singles pre-quarterfinals at the Olympic Games.
Historic Win
In a dominant performance, Batra defeated Prithika Pavade, a French player with Indian roots, 4-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2) at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Batra's aggressive play and consistent form proved too much for Pavade, who had reached the final of the WTT Contender event earlier in her career.
Milestone for Indian Table Tennis
Batra's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian table tennis. It is the first time an Indian has reached the pre-quarterfinals of the Olympic singles competition. The achievement is a testament to Batra's skill, hard work, and dedication.
Batra's Background
Manika Batra was born in Delhi, India in 1995. She began playing table tennis at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. Batra has won multiple international medals, including gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2019 Asian Championships.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What other records has Manika Batra broken?
2. How did Prithika Pavade qualify for France?
Pavade was born in France but has Indian parents. She is eligible to represent France through her citizenship.
3. What are the next steps for Batra?
Batra will face seventh-seed Suh Hyun of South Korea in the pre-quarterfinals.
4. What is the significance of Batra's win for Indian sport?
Batra's victory is a major boost for Indian sport. It shows that Indian athletes can compete with the world's best and achieve success at the highest level.
5. What are some other notable Indian table tennis players?
Other notable Indian table tennis players include Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Achanta Sharath Kamal.
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