Table tennis player Manika Batra recalls India’s remarkable victory over Singapore in the women’s team event final at the Commonwealth Games 2018.
The Indian women’s team became the first-ever side to defeat Singapore in a table tennis final at the Commonwealth Games. The 23-year-old Manika Batra went on to win a medal in each of her events in the tournament - women’s team (gold), women’s singles (gold), women’s doubles (silver) and mixed doubles (bronze).
“I didn't have any expectations, but I had a dream to win a medal. Before going for the tournament, I used to discuss with my mother how we would feel if I won a medal at the Commonwealth Games. I thought that if I win a gold medal, then it would be a very good achievement,” said Batra.
In the team event final, Manika, ranked 58th at that time, was up against world number 4 Tianwei Feng in the singles match. Manika decided to consider her just like any other player.
In the women’s team event final, I played against Tianwei Feng in the first match itself. I didn’t know she was the world number 4 because I didn’t check her rank before the match. So, I went to the table and thought that she’s also a player and I’m also a player. So, I gave my 100 percent. I was down in a lot of games, but then I managed to make a comeback. After I won, I felt good. But I didn’t express myself fully, because I also had to play my singles match.Manika Batra
Manika Batra beat Zhou Yihan in the reverse singles match and helped India win the women’s team event final 3-1.
“I calmed myself down and got ready for my next match. I was shocked that I had beaten the world number 4. I started getting calls from home, with my family asking about my match against her. But I usually don’t get too excited, so I kept all my emotions inside and got ready for my next match,” added Batra.
What are the things that go through the mind of an athlete after she wins a gold medal? Manika gave us a sneak peek.
One time, my coach and I were coming back from a tournament. My coach showed me some posters at the airport. He said if you win a medal at Commonwealth Games and make the country proud, then I want your poster here as well. So, this is what came to my mind after I won. I remembered all the sacrifices my mother had made for me as well.Manika Batra
Manika went on to become the first Indian woman to win a table tennis gold in a singles event. Upon her return at the Delhi airport, Manika experienced something for the first time in her career – crazy fame!
It was amazing to come back to a grand welcome in India. I’d never seen such a welcome for a table tennis player. And non-table tennis people had come to congratulate us. So many people followed our results and I was very happy with the response.Manika Batra
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)