The 23-year-old was instrumental in India winning the first ever gold medal in table tennis at the Commonwealth Games. The team beat four-time gold medalists and defending champions Singapore 3-1 in the Women’s team event. Manika also went on to win the first gold in women’s single category.
Indian superstar Manika Batra wins the 2018 Breakthrough Star award presented by Monday Club at the Incheon 2018 #ITTFStarAwards! #Congrats pic.twitter.com/sspTI5RK1q
— ITTF World (@ittfworld) December 12, 2018
Her performances at the Asian Games was also outstanding. Although she could not win gold, Manika along with Achanta Sharath Kamal, she bagged a mixed doubles bronze to make another first for the country in this sport.
Thank you @ittfworld for acknowledging my efforts and giving me the Breakthrough Star Award 2018. Thanks to @sandeepgupta_tt @MorSubodh @ttfitweet @Media_SAI @IndiaSports @IndianOilcl, my family and all well-wishers for all the support. I will continue to keep striving forward🙏 pic.twitter.com/NxCL9fIhuL
— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) December 12, 2018
Speaking at the ceremony, Manika Batra said, “I am really honored and happy to have received the award. I feel 2018 has been the best year of my career so far and I am happy for what I have achieved.”
She also added, “I would like to thank the Government, the Table Tennis Federation of India and most importantly, my family, who has been there for me and motivated me along this journey.”
The Arjuna awardee partnered India’s legendary Sharath Kamal to clinch a bronze in the mixed doubles category of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Manika is now ranked 52 and has become India’s highest ranked female player. She also reached her career-best ranking of 52 in 2018 and became India’s highest ranked female player.
#Congrats to Massimo Costantini for taking the 2018 Table Tennis Star Coach award presented by Butterfly at the Incheon 2018 #ITTFStarAwards! pic.twitter.com/ioIAc377q6
— ITTF World (@ittfworld) December 12, 2018
Meanwhile, Indian table tennis coach Massimo Costantini was rewarded with the ‘2018 Table Tennis Star Coach award’ at the ceremony. This former Italian international player has been the coach for both Men and Women team and is the coach for the second term.
