History makers G Sathiyan and Manika Batra aim to arrive at Paris 2024 as medal contenders
Sathiyan feels that his understanding with Batra has been key for their title win in Budapest
Whenever G Sathiyan and Manika Batra have paired up, they have made their presence felt. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia, they became the first Indian pair to win a medal in mixed doubles when they defeated compatriots Sharath Achanta and Mouma Das 11-6, 11-2, 11-4.
And on Friday when they outclassed local favourites Nandor Ecseki and Dora Madarasz 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6 to clinch the World Table Tennis Tour Contender Budapest 2021, it was the first time that an Indian pair lifted an international world tour mixed doubles title.
It was the first tournament since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and hence the duo had hardly got time to train with each other. However, that hardly reflected on their performances as both of them put up top-notch displays to seal the championship.
"It is wonderful to be back playing with Manika. After the reunion, we have created history by becoming the first pair to win a WTT series. In the last three years, we have both improved. Despite just one practice session we did fairly well in Hungary and were able to solve critical issues on the table," stated Sathiyan to Olympics.com after the memorable victory.
Batra had a wonderful outing in Tokyo where she defeated world number 32 Margaryta Pesotska even after losing the first two games. Her grit and composure under pressure coupled with her improved technical game helped her prevail over a much-higher ranked opponent. She carried her rich vein of form to Budapest and Sathiyan believes that with time both of them have matured to become a formidable unit.
"Manika has improved incredibly in attack and her forehand game, which has helped us. We complement each other with our deft and attacking style. I think we have become faster and more agile on the table which has been intimidating to our opponents. Now we are a more mature and stronger pair than we were before."
2022 is action-packed as major events like the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games are scheduled to take place. The Chennai-born paddler had won a bronze in the men's team event in Jakarta, but now he wants to replicate that in mixed doubles as well. The two tournaments are also being tipped as the perfect preparatory events for the ultimate platform in Paris 2024.
"2022 is certainly a big year. We sat down together along with our coaches and decided that we will take this forward at least for the next three years, until Paris 2024. It's been our goal. We want to win gold in CWG and at least return with a medal from Asian Games.
"We have been practicing more systematically and our target is to improve the world rankings as much as possible. After this win, we should be in the top 20 when the rankings come out."
The 28-year-old feels that Indians should focus more on doubles and team events as medal chances are relatively higher in these events.
"In India, we have not been focussing much on doubles and team events. But there is actually a big scope to do well in doubles. But there are challenges as well. You need to have phenomenal levels of understanding to reach the top as your partner has to play the next ball. However, looking at Paris, we are pretty confident as we have started out early and are focusing on that goal from now on."
The paddler is in no mood to rest as he has already left for the Czech Republic to ply his trade in the ITTF Czech International Open. He has also extended his contract with the Japanese T-League side Okayama Rivets which will see him travel to Tokyo once again.
"It is the best league that I have ever played in. The quality of training and matches over there is unparalleled. I have learnt a lot. Looking forward to continuing that stint and play some matches in such a competitive league," he signed off.