Manika Batra scripted history as she became the first Indian female to win a medal at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup. The World No.44 Indian stunned World No.6 Hina Hayata in the bronze medal match to make a podium finish.
Batra defeated Hayata 4-2 (11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 4-11, 11-2) to take the bronze. Earlier in the day, the Indian went down fighting against World No.5 Mima Ito of Japan in the semifinals. She lost 2-4 (8-11 11-7 7-11 6-11 11-8 7-11).
Batra had defeated World No.7 Cheng Xingtong in China and World No.23 Chen Szu-Yu of Taiwan to reach the final four. She became the first Indian female and overall only the second Indian to reach the semifinal stage of this competition. The only other Indian to make a podium finish in this competition’s history was Chetan Baboor who took silver in 1997 and bronze in 2000.
