Manika Batra bereaved as father Girish passes away due to cardiac arrest

Table tennis player Manika Batra's father, Girish Batra, passed away on February 11 due to cardiac arrest.

Girish was 65 and is survived by his daughter Manika and wife Sushma Batra. He was cremated on Tuesday, and a prayer ceremony for his departed soul will be held on Thursday.

Girish played a pivotal role in Manika’s journey to becoming India’s top women’s singles table tennis player.

Currently ranked 38th, Manika won gold medals in the women's singles and women's team events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, along with a silver in women’s doubles and a bronze in mixed doubles. She also won a mixed doubles bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

Last year, Manika made history as the first Indian paddler to reach the Round of 16 in women’s singles at the Olympics in Paris. She also became the first Indian to reach the quarterfinals of a WTT Champions event in Montpellier.