Olympics 2024: Know your rival - Manika Batra’s Round of 16 opponent Miu Hirano

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Indian Table tennis star Manika Batra made history after beating Prithika Pavade to reach Round of 16 at the Paris Olympics. Now things get a little tougher for the India star as she faces 13-ranked Miu Hirano. Ahead of the game let us take a look at Hirano.

Miu Hirano (born April 14, 2000) is a Japanese table tennis player who has achieved remarkable success at a young age. Hirano burst onto the international scene in 2016 when she became the youngest-ever winner of the Women's World Cup at just 16 years old, defeating top players to claim the title.

Image Courtesy: World Table Tennis on X

This victory marked her as a rising star in a sport traditionally dominated by Chinese athletes. In 2017, she solidified her reputation by winning the women’s singles at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, where she famously defeated three top Chinese players, including world number one Ding Ning. This made her the first non-Chinese player to win the title in over two decades.

Hirano’s early career was also marked by her successful doubles partnership with Mima Ito. Together, they became the youngest-ever winners of an ITTF World Tour doubles event at the German Open in 2014. The duo continued to claim several titles, including the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and the Korean Open.

Hirano’s Olympic journey began at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she played a crucial role in Japan’s women’s team, helping them secure a silver medal. Although she did not compete in the singles event at Tokyo, her team performance showcased her enduring skill and competitive spirit.

In 2024, Hirano has continued to perform at a high level. At the Paris Olympics, she reached the quarterfinals in the women's singles event, further proving her consistency on the global stage. Earlier in the year, she won the WTT Contender Muscat, adding another title to her impressive career.