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Table Tennis

A 15-year journey comes to an end as Manika Batra parts ways with her coach

A 15-year journey comes to an end as Manika Batra parts ways with her coach
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By

Sounak Mullick

Published: 27 March 2019 5:25 AM GMT
The poster girl of Indian Table Tennis, Manika Batra has parted with his coach Sandeep Gupta after a journey of 15 years together. As per reports by The Hindu, the paddler has decided to train with Pune-based Sanmay Paranjape in the future. The World No. 46 has had a phenomenal season last year, but this could be a turning point in her career. The paddler from Delhi scripted history by winning the doubles medal along with Indian legend Sharath Kamal at the 2018 Asian Games. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she bagged the gold medal in the women’s individual event and the women’s team event also, making her the most successful athlete in the Indian contingent. Her next big assignment is going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualification rounds and if things fall in place, she might be a medal prospect in the mixed doubles event at the mega event. Sandeep guided Manika from the age of 8 when she started playing the game. Although Manika could not be contacted to share her views regarding the move, Sandeep informed that the Arjuna Awardee wanted to move on and train with someone else. 
“She told me she wanted to move on and train with a different coach. I wished her the very best, as always.”
The last time both of them worked was during the Hungary Open in Budapest earlier in January this year. Incidentally, she had a forgettable National Championships that month, finishing at the fourth position behind Ayhika Mukherjee, Krittwika Sinha Roy and eventual winner Archana Kamath. The coach did not reveal much of the insights due to obvious reasons. On the other hand, the secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) decided not to make unnecessary comments. Regarding the matter, he said, “I don’t want to comment on something personal between the coach and his trainee. The Federation has nothing to do with it. We wish them well.”
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