Paris Olympics: Manika Batra off to a winning start in table tennis women's singles, defeats Great Britain's Hursey Anna

India's star paddler Manika Batra secured a comprehensive win against Great Britain's Hursey Anna in the Round of 64 match at the table tennis competition of the Paris Olympics 2024 on July 27, Sunday. Batra was seen dominating in most of her rallies to defeat Hursey by 4-0 in the match that stretched up to 32 minutes.

Manika displayed her skills and determination and kept the opponent chasing the game throughout the match, winning by four straight sets in the encounter. With this exceptional performance, the 29-year-old has advanced to the Round of 32. Batra will face Prithika Pavade in her next clash of the marquee event. 
 

However, Olympics bearer Sharath Kamal suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the men's singles round of 64 at the Paris Olympics. The 42-year-old, making his fifth Olympic appearance, was outplayed by Deni Kozul of Slovenia, losing 2-4.
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Earlier, India got their first medal in the ongoing Olympics in Paris.  India shooter Manu Bhaker clinched a bronze medal in the Olympics. She becomes the first Indian woman shooter to get a medal in the Olympics. The last time India won shooting medals at the Olympics was in 2012 London edition where rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and 10m air rifle marksman Gagan Narang clinched silver and bronze respectively. Narang is the chef de mission of the Paris contingent right now.

Bhaker claimed the bronze medal with a score of 221.7 and Korea's Kim Yeji claimed the silver with a total of 241.3 while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh bagged the gold with a Games record of 243.2.

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