I was sad, upset after CWG 2022 disappointment: Manika Batra

Manika Batra during the virtual media interaction from Surat

Having won as many as four medals (two gold, one silver, one bronze) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast to return empty-handed from the 2022 edition in Birmingham was disappointing, admitted India's table tennis star Manika Batra.

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"I was sad and upset when I lost at the CWG [in Birmingham], but I always tell myself that this is not the end and that I have to keep working hard. So when I got back to India, I immediately started training. I think it's very important for every athlete, who loses a match, not to feel like sab kuch khatam ho gaya [everything is over] or log kya kahenge [what will people say]. They should instead get back to training harder and work on their mistakes," Batra said from Surat during a media interaction organised by SAI Media ahead of the table tennis event (September 20-24) at the National Games.

The National Games will be followed by the World Championships in Chengdu, China, (September 30 to October 9) and Batra is hoping that the competition at the National level will keep her in good stead for the worlds. "There are a lot of good, young players in the country so the National Games will be a good tournament ahead of the World Championships. I have prepared well with my coach and am ready to give my 100 percent," she added.