Manika Batra creates history by achieving what has never been done before at the Paris Olympics 2024. Yesterday, she defeated France’s 12th seed, Prithika Pavade with 4-0 score in 37 minutes. The 29 year old won this match in straight sets with scoreline of 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7. With this victory she has become the first Indian paddler (men or women) to reach the pre quarters of table tennis at the Olympics (as far as singles are concerned).
It was a gripping game, initially both the players did not let each other dominate. However, in the end Manika Batra won the match with a fiery forehand and without having to break a sweat. Her game was mix of both defence and attack to keep her opponents under pressure. Now, the Indian paddler will be up against the winner of the match between Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzu and Japan’s Miu Hirano.
Right on the Mani 😍
Manika Batra becomes the first Indian paddler to reach the Round of 16 in Olympics history.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/cop2arKWXJ
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 29, 2024
This is a big achievement for Manika Batra, as despite being ranked 28th in the world, 10 positions below her opponent Pavade. She showcased her skills and secured her position in the pre quarter finals. In fact, she broke her own record by surpassing her Tokyo Olympics performance, wherein she became the first Indian woman to reach the 32nd round in singles competition. By surpassing round of 32 and qualifying for round of 16, she has set new benchmark for Indian paddlers at the Olympics.
One more good news is that Batra could be joined by another Indian in the Paris Olympics 2024 itself. Sreeja Akula has a chance of joining Batra when she faces Singapore’s Zeng Jian in the round of 32 on Tuesday.
India At Paris Olympics…
So, far India is doing incredibly well! In fact, what a day for Indian Olympics delegation today! India’s Paris Olympic medalist, Manu Bhaker along with her teammate Sarabjot Singh have earned a bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle mixed team. This is India’s second shooting medal at the Olympics following Manu Bhaker’s bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. With this, Miss Manu Bhaker has become first athlete in independent India to secure her second medal in a single edition of the Olympics!
Our shooters continue to make us proud!
Congratulations to @realmanubhaker and Sarabjot Singh for winning the Bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the #Olympics. Both of them have shown great skills and teamwork. India is incredibly delighted.
For Manu, this… pic.twitter.com/loUsQjnLbN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024
Mr. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty on the other hand have scripted history by becoming the first Indian men’s doubles to reach quarterfinals at the Olympics. Then Arjun Babuta, has finished at fourth position in the men’s 10m Air Rifle final at the Paris Olympics. Overall, Indian players are indeed making, all of us proud with their hard work.
Paris Olympics Schedule…
Coming to today’s full day schedule i.e., July 30th (Tuesday)-
- 12:30 PM IST – Shooting – Men’s Trap Qualification, Day 2 (Prithviraj Tondaiman)
- 12:30 PM IST– Shooting – Women’s Trap Qualification, Day 1 (Shreyashi Singh, Rajeshwari Kumari)
- 1 PM IST – Shooting – 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Bronze Medal Match (India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh vs South Korea’s Wonho Lee and Ye Jin Oh)
- 1:40 PM IST – Rowing – Men’s Singles Sculls Quarter-finals (Balraj Panwar)
- 4:45 PM IST – Hockey – Men’s Pool B Match (India vs Ireland)
- 5:14 PM IST – Archery – Women’s Individual 1/32 Elimination Round (India’s Ankita Bhakat vs Poland’s Wioleta Myszor)
- 5:27 PM IST – Archery – Women’s Individual 1/32 Elimination Round (Indonesia’s Syifa Nurafifah Kamal vs India’s Bhajan Kaur)
- 5:30 PM IST – Badminton – Men’s doubles Group stage (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty vs Alfian Fajar and Muhammad Rian Ardianto from Indonesia)
- 6:20 PM IST – Badminton – Women’s Doubles Group stage (Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto vs Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu from Australia)
- 7:15 PM IST – Boxing– Men’s 51kg Round of 16: Amit Panghal vs Patrick Chinyemba (Zambia)
- 9:25 PM IST – Boxing – Women’s 57kg Round of 32: Jaismine Lamboria vs Nesthy Petecio (Philippines)
- 1:20 AM (July 31) – Boxing– Women’s 54kg Round of 16: Preeti Pawar vs Yeni Marcela Arias (Colombia)