Indian table tennis players Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula were defeated in their respective women’s singles round of 16 matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday.
With the outcome, India’s singles campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics concluded.
Both Batra and Akula made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis players to reach the round of 16 in a singles event at the Olympics but neither could make further inroads.
“I wanted to be the first to win a medal. It’s OK. It happens. Maybe next time,” Manika said. “I’ll give my best for my country.”
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Manika Batra was defeated by Japan’s Miu Hirano 4-1 (6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11 6-11) in the round of 16, while Sreeja Akula, celebrating her 26th birthday, was defeated 4-0 (10-12, 10-12, 8-11, 3-11) by People’s Republic of China’s Sun Yingsha.
Earlier in the day, Sreeja Akula came from a set down in the round of 32 to defeat Zeng Jian of Singapore 4-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10).
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Harmeet Desai and Sharath Kamal were eliminated in the round of 64 in the men’s singles.
India’s next focus will be on the men’s and women’s team events, starting on August 5.
