Olympics 2024: "I Think We Have a Shot" - Table Tennis Star Manika Batra on India's Medal Prospects in Paris

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India's top table tennis star Manika Batra believes that the country's paddlers "have a shot" at winning an elusive medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled to be held from July 26 to August 11.

When Batra won the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold in Gold Coast, Australia, she became the flag-bearer of sorts for Indian women's table tennis. In the last six years, many more Indian women paddlers have left a mark on the world stage.

Batra, who played a key role in the Indian women's team qualifying for their first-ever Olympic appearance, said the achievement it self is massive, but she added the paddlers will do their best to win a medal.

"India qualified for the first time, this is a huge achievement... I am really happy with how we are working together (at the camp). I think we have a shot at the medal and we should give our best," Batra said during an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT).

"The growth of women's table tennis in India is really inspiring. I see many of my fellow players playing really well. Everyone in the team is motivated and training very hard. Women's table tennis in India will only grow further for sure."

Speaking about the growth of women's table tennis in India, World No. 28 Batra credited UTT and the exposure it has provided young Indian players by allowing them to rub shoulders with foreign stars.

"UTT really helped us because we get to practice with foreign players, play matches [against them]. We get good match practice," Batra, who reached the quarter-finals of the WTT Saudi Smash in May, added.

Coming into her second Olympic appearance, Batra said she has learned from her Tokyo Olympics experience and would be focusing on one match at a time despite setting a target of getting into the medal rounds.

"I have learned many things from the last Olympics, and I am not going to make those mistakes again. My mindset has changed since then, I am calmer and have more confidence in myself. I have been working on my stamina and my agility, and my ultimate aim is to challenge for a medal.

"But, I will go slowly. I will try to be in that zone and give my best. I will go round by round and not think of a medal too early. I will give my best for my country," Batra, who represents PBG Bengaluru Smashers in UTT, said.

India will compete in the individual as well as team events of table tennis at the Paris 2024, featuring star Indian paddlers, including Batra, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Sreeja Akula, and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.