Manika Batra started off 2018 with four medals at the Commonwealth Games and will end the year on a high after she received the 'Breakthrough Table Tennis Star' award at the prestigious International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Awards ceremony in Incheon, South Korea.

“I am really honoured and happy to have received the award. I feel 2018 has been the best year of my career so far and I am happy for what I have achieved,” said Manika who reached her career-best ranking of 52 and became India’s highest ranked female player, earlier this year.

Extending her Midas touch, she partnered with Sharath Kamal to clinch a bronze medal in the mixed doubles category at the 2018 Asian Games. The female paddler from Delhi was at her supreme best when she accumulated a monumental 201 points and helped her team, Dabang Smashers TTC to win the second season of CEAT UTT.

This award comes after Batra had received the prestigious Arjuna Award for the year 2018. Talking about her latest achievement, she said, “I would like to thank the Government, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and most importantly, my family, who has been there for me and motivated me along this journey.”

After having made the most of her ominous form this year, Manika will be hoping to replicate the same going into the New Year. The country is eager to see her go from strength to strength in 2019, and in the Ultimate Table Tennis too.