Table Tennis player Manika Batra, Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal, Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Cricketer Rohit Sharma, and Para-High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu were the recipients of the award. This time the awards were given to five individuals.
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards, which were announced in 2020, were the first of their kind. I want to thank the Government, the Table Tennis Federation of India, and most importantly, my family, who has been there for me and motivated me along this journey. I feel 2018 has been the best year of my career, and I am glad for what I have achieved. The model turned table tennis player is also the first Indian to receive the “Breakthrough Table Tennis Star” at the prestigious ITTF awards in South Korea.Īfter receiving the award, Manika said, “I am honoured and happy to have received the award. Breakthrough Award by ITTFīatra has already qualified for Tokyo Olympics. Manika has outshone her competition so far, and this is just the beginning for her. It is a rubber that top players do not often play. She is the top-ranked female table tennis player from India at the moment.īesides that, her signature moves include playing long pimples on the backhand. The Indian star is in the 63 rd position in the world rankings. She won a historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018 due to her immense dedication. Manika Batra is the highest-ranked female table tennis player from India.
I’m thankful to them for such a glorious run.” 4. She said, “I’m helped by my fitness coach Jagdev Chauhan while my mother – Sushma – is always behind me. She played with Anthony Amalraj in mixed doubles and with Mouma Das and Shamini Kumaresan in the team event.īatra hails from Naraina Vihar in Delhi. The Indian player participated in the women’s singles event with Pooja Sahasrabudhe. She brought three gold medals home from the 12th South Asian Games in 2016. Manika Batra made India proud with a golden hat-trick. Three Gold Medals at South Asian Games 2016