In a country where cricket often overshadows every other sport, Manika Batra carved her own path—one forehand smash at a time. Born on June 15, 1995, in Delhi’s Naraina Vihar, Manika was introduced to table tennis by her elder siblings. What began as a childhood hobby soon transformed into a calling. By the age of 8, she had already won her first state-level tournament. And by 13, she was representing India. But her journey was anything but smooth.
The Struggles Behind the Spotlight
Despite her early promise, Manika faced a barrage of challenges:
- Limited infrastructure for table tennis in India
- Financial constraints that made international exposure difficult
- Gender bias in a male-dominated sports ecosystem
- And the emotional toll of being a lone warrior in a cricket-crazy nation
She turned down modeling offers and even a scholarship to train in Sweden, choosing instead to stay in India and build her game from the ground up. Her decision was bold—and it paid off.
The Breakthrough: Commonwealth Games 2018
Manika’s defining moment came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast:
- Gold in Women’s Singles (first Indian woman to do so)
- Gold in Women’s Team
- Silver in Women’s Doubles
- Bronze in Mixed Doubles
She didn’t just win medals—she shattered stereotypes and became a household name.
Olympic Heartbreak & Comeback Spirit
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Manika reached the Round of 16, a historic feat for Indian table tennis. But falling short of a medal left her devastated. “I was crying after the match,” she confessed on the Game On podcast. Yet, she didn’t let heartbreak define her. Instead, she channeled it into motivation for LA 2028.
“It’s not just about winning. It’s about how you rise after falling,” she said, her voice steady with resolve.
Mental Strength, Nutrition & Giving Back
Manika credits her success to:
- Mental resilience: “Sports has taught me how to stay strong even on the toughest days”
- Clean nutrition & supplements: Especially during intense training and travel
- Community vision: She plans to open a high-performance academy to nurture young paddlers
Legacy in Motion
Today, Manika Batra is more than a medalist. She’s a symbol of perseverance, a trailblazer for women in Indian sports, and a beacon of hope for every child who dares to dream beyond boundaries.