After the highs of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asiad, Manika Batra's career took a nosedive following the Birmingham CWG 2022 debacle but the ace Indian paddler has vowed to make a strong return at the National Games before heading to the World Championships this month. Batra was one of India's biggest stars in 2018, clinching four medals including the women's singles and team golds at the CWG. She also went on to bag the mixed doubles bronze at the Asian Games later that year. However at the Birmingham Games last month, she looked out of sorts and returned empty-handed. "Of course, I was sad and upset when I lost my matches in CWG but I always tell myself this is not the end of the world," Batra, who is here for the National Games, told reporters during a virtual interaction.

"2018 was really an amazing year for me. This time, I played best before the CWG 2022. I did really well in the World Tours, beat good players," the top-ranked Indian said. "I think I played my best in CWG 2022 but every player has ups and down in their lives. It's not finished for me just because I didn't get a medal at the CWG," she added. Batra said she has been working hard to rectify her mistakes. "I've to keep working hard and bounce back. I've worked a lot on my mistakes and my coach has been my sparring partner. We have some big tournaments coming up and next year like the Asian Games." The paddlers will be the first in action here at the PDDU Indoor Stadium ahead of the National Games'? opening ceremony a week from now as they will be flying off to Chengdu for the World Championships from September 30.

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