Manika Batra becomes first Indian woman to win Asian Cup medal; creates history

Manika Batra, the standout paddler for India, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in table tennis at the Asian Cup. Batra defeated Hina Hayata to win the bronze medal in the competition with scores of 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 4-11, and 11-2.

I am so so happy winning bronze medal in this Asian cup. Defeating the Top players was challenging and I'm proud of my victory.
It was so wonderful playing and competing against them.

I will continue this hard work and will give my best in future tournaments as well...
1/1 pic.twitter.com/Lfb8gk7BfF

— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) November 19, 2022

Manika put up an outstanding performance to defeat China's Chen Xingtong, the seventh-ranked player in the world, in the opening round of the ongoing Asian Cup 2022 competition in Bangkok on Thursday. The fourth-seeded table tennis player was defeated 4-3 by the World No. 44 while competing at the Huamark Indoor Stadium with scores of 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, and 11-9.

After Achanta Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan both finished sixth in the Asian Cup in 2015 and 2019, respectively, Manika has already achieved the best finish by an Indian in the 39-year history of the competition.