Indian table tennis star Manika Batra’s remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics came to a disappointing end as she was ousted from the women’s singles competition after a defeat to Japan’s Miu Hirano in the Round of 16 on Wednesday. Despite her earlier successes, the seasoned Indian player struggled against the higher-ranked Hirano, losing 6-11, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 6-11.

Manika had made history just two days prior by becoming the first Indian to advance to the Round of 16 in Olympic table tennis. However, her run was halted by Hirano, who has been in exceptional form throughout the tournament. Although Manika showed glimpses of her fighting spirit, especially in the second and third games where she held significant leads, Hirano’s tactical prowess and ability to shift gears at crucial moments proved too much for the Indian to overcome.

Earlier in the day, Sreeja Akula, another Indian table tennis player, made her mark by reaching the pre-quarterfinals on her 26th birthday. Sreeja defeated Singapore’s Jian Zeng 4-2 in a hard-fought match, further cementing the historic run for Indian table tennis players at the Games.

Despite the disappointment of her exit, Manika’s performance in Paris has been commendable, adding to her already impressive career achievements. Her journey through the tournament will be remembered as a milestone for Indian table tennis on the Olympic stage.