India’s top-ranked women’s paddler, Manika Batra, faced a disappointing early exit at the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, bowing out in the Round of 64.
Seeded 22nd, Batra was handed a straight-games defeat by 17-year-old South Korean prodigy Park Gahyeon, who stunned the Indian star with a 4-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8) victory.
This result not only ends Manika’s campaign at the first hurdle but also extends her underwhelming record at the World Championships in women’s singles. Despite her status as one of India’s most visible and marketed athletes in the sport, Manika has struggled to make a deep run at the Worlds.
Her World Championship record now reads:
- 2015: Round of 128
- 2017: Round of 64
- 2019: Round of 64
- 2021: Round of 128
- 2023: Round of 32 (Best)
- 2025: Round of 64
This latest loss comes as a major blow, especially after her improved showing in 2023 when she reached the Round of 32, raising hopes of a possible breakthrough this year. However, Park Gahyeon, unseeded and just 17 years old, proved too sharp and fearless on her World Championships debut. Her aggressive yet composed playstyle left little room for Batra to settle into rhythm.
The South Korean teenager’s triumph was not just a win over a top-25 player—it was a statement. Park’s victory showcased the depth of talent in the Korean pipeline and reinforced how rapidly the global women’s table tennis scene is evolving.
Meanwhile, Batra’s loss reignites a familiar discussion about India’s performances on the world stage in singles events. Despite the media buzz and the spotlight she attracts, her consistency at major championships remains a concern.
In contrast to individual singles performances, India has seen better results in doubles events at the World Championships. Here’s a look at the best Indian results over the years:
Best Indian Performances at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships
Men’s Singles:
- R32 – Sharath Kamal (2009, 2015, 2017)
- R32 – Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (2019, 2021)
Women’s Singles:
- R32 – Manika Batra (2023)
Men’s Doubles:
- R16 – Sharath Kamal / Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (2023)
Women’s Doubles:
- Quarterfinals – Mouma Das / Manika Batra (2017)
- Quarterfinals – Manika Batra / Archana Kamath (2021)
Mixed Doubles:
- Quarterfinals – Sathiyan Gnanasekaran / Manika Batra (2021)
While Manika’s mixed and women’s doubles performances have yielded commendable results in the past, her inability to carry that momentum into singles continues to concern fans and observers alike.
With India’s wait for a genuine singles contender on the world stage still on, young paddlers like Sreeja Akula and Diya Chitale will be watched closely to see if they can rise to the occasion in future events. As for Batra, the road ahead will demand introspection, adjustments, and perhaps a recalibration of expectations as she continues her journey in Indian table tennis.
