Want to Do for TT What Saina, Sindhu Did for Badminton: Manika

Camera: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Editor: Rahul Sanpui

The 2018 Commonwealth Games became synonymous with the image of Manika Batra raising her arms in victory, beating much higher ranked opponents, and eventually finishing as India’s most successful sportsperson at a single CWG.

The 22-year-old table-tennis player won a medal in each of the events she participated in, including two gold medals against much-fancied Singaporean opponents. Few months down the line, The Quint caught up with the new star and got her talking about her beginnings in the sport, her golden run and also her idols - PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.

You have been playing table tennis professionally for almost a decade now, but it really was the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which helped you break out. When you stood on the podium for the first gold medal, what went through your head?

I remember, before leaving for the Commonwealth Games, my coach had reminded me about the time we had returned from a tournament and at the airport, there were posters of other sportspeople. My coach then told me that if I did well at the Commonwealth Games, he wished that even my photos would be displayed like that. I remembered that when I won my gold medals.

You have been playing table tennis for India for quite some time but had not managed to break out and give impactful performances. So, when you went to the Commonwealth Games, what expectations did you have? Did you think you would come back with a medal in each event you played?

There were no expectations as such. It was my dream to win medals at the CWG. Before leaving for Gold Coast, I remember I used to discuss with my mother what would happen if I won medals for India. It was a dream of mine to win a gold. When I won the team gold, it helped build my confidence. When India beat Singapore in the women’s team event final, I’d beaten the world number 4 in singles. Honestly though, I didn't know she was world number 4 because I hadn't checked her ranking before the match. She’s a player and I’m also a player.  I didn't think that she was world number 4 or that she was an Olympic medallist; I just gave my 100 percent.

What were the celebrations like when you won the first gold? It was in the team event and your singles match was the clinching rubber.

After winning the gold, it was a great feeling but I wanted to save the celebrations for the singles events. I got phone calls from home and they told me that I’d beaten the world number 4. But I’m not a person who gets very excited. I keep my emotions in check and prepare for the next challenge.

Tell us about the start? How did you start playing table tennis? Is it a sport you loved from a young age or did you chance upon it?

My brother and sister used to play table tennis, so watching them play, I also started playing. My sister played till the national level. I found the game very interesting, the small ball and the small racquet. It was a lot of fun playing.

Any sportspeople you look up to? Someone you’d like to model your career on?

PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. This is because just like table tennis, even badminton was not so famous. The manner in which those two have made badminton famous, I want to take table-tennis to greater heights too. I used to follow them for this reason.

And now that you are almost a household name, how has life changed?

When I leave my house, my mom tells me to be careful. Yesterday, I went somewhere with my mother and there were young kids who recognised me. I felt very good and happy that people are recognising me.