In pursuit of Olympic glory, Manika Batra draws inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality

Three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manika Batra has been one of the most consistent Indian table tennis players for nearly a decade.

Last year, Manika scripted history at the Saudi Smash, becoming the first Indian singles table tennis player to reach the quarter-finals of a WTT Grand Smash event – the sport’s equivalent of tennis Grand Slams.

Her giant-killing run at the Saudi Smash included victories over Olympic medallist Wang Manyu of the People’s Republic of China and world championships medallist Nina Mittelham of Germany.

Batra recently competed at the WTT Star Contender Foz do Iguaçu 2025 in Brazil, where her campaign concluded in the quarter-finals of both women’s singles and doubles.

Despite the exit, she produced solid wins against higher-ranked Kim Nayeong of the Republic of Korea and compatriot Diya Chitale en route to the last eight in singles.

Olympics.com caught up with Manika Batra during her campaign in Brazil, where the Indian table tennis ace underlined her dream of winning a medal at the Summer Games.

During the interaction, Batra also revealed that basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s ‘Mamba Mentality’ has also left a profound impression on her.

The Mamba Mentality philosophy, coined by Lakers icon and two-time Olympic champion Kobe Bryant, is about relentless self-improvement, mental toughness and striving to be your best every day. It’s a mindset of discipline, focus and embracing challenges with intensity by pushing personal limits, not just beating others.

Here are the excerpts from the interview.

Q: No longer an up-and-coming talent, you are now a senior player in the Indian table tennis circuit. How are you adjusting to this new role and the responsibilities that come with it?

Manika Batra: I really love the responsibility I have right now to take Indian table tennis up. From the beginning, I have loved challenges. I see Indian table tennis going really up, not only me but also the junior players, how they are playing. I am really happy with how table tennis in India is changing and how the mindset of people is changing.

Q: What remains your ultimate goal and something you want to achieve over the next few years?

Manika Batra: I was thinking too much, but now I want to go slowly and gradually. I want to treat every tournament as one where I give my 100 per cent. Of course, the ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal. I will work on that. I still have three years (for LA 2028), and that is very little for me. But I will play match by match, tournament by tournament. I will work hard in my training. Every day, every second counts.

Q: Which is your most cherished achievement for table tennis in India? You are a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, an Asian Games and Asian Championships medallist.

Manika Batra: For me, the Commonwealth Games, because that was my first gold medal for my country, and I saw the Indian flag up when I was standing on the podium. I will never forget that moment in my life.

Q: How does Manika Batra deal with the high-pressure environment of international table tennis?

Manika Batra: I love challenges and I love pressure matches. I stay calm every time before I go to the match or during the match. I take deep breaths and I recover with that.

Q: Tell us about one of your favourite opponents to square off against. Someone whose rivalry brings out the best in you.

Manika Batra: I cannot name one, but there are many players I love to play against and I love to win against them. At the Saudi Smash, I played against Wang Manyu, and that was my best match. I would love to play her again and win. Recently, I played with (Japan’s) Honoka Hashimoto. I want to play against her and win. I think I have the capability and ability to win against her next time, so I will do my best.

Q: Can you run us through some of your most memorable matches over the years and why they still remain fresh in your mind?

Manika Batra: Again, I would say the Saudi Smash – every match, not only one or two, from the first round till the quarter-finals. I cannot forget the mindset and how much fire I had in that tournament. That was my most memorable tournament.

Q: How do you want your legacy to be remembered for table tennis in India?

Manika Batra: I have not thought about that because I still want to do many things and achieve my goals. I haven’t thought about it, but of course, if people want to remember me, I would like them to remember me as a great legend, a great player, and a very humble person.

Q: What advice would Manika Batra today give to her younger self when she was first starting out, taking the table tennis world by storm?

Manika Batra: I would just say that I was amazing at that time and I am still amazing. So, just keep dreaming and keep working towards your goal.

Q: How did your family respond to your decision to take table tennis seriously, and how important was their support during that pivotal phase?

Manika Batra: My family has always been there for me, now and when I was young. They never told me what to do or what not to do. Whatever I wanted to do, they supported me from the beginning. I am really blessed and happy to have that family with me every time. When I go to the table or when I am not playing, they motivate me. I am really happy and lucky to have them.

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a table tennis player, and which sporting personality do you look up to away from the table tennis circuit?

Manika Batra: Many people have asked me this, but I have not thought about that because I love table tennis. I love my sport and I don’t think I would have chosen a different sport in my career. I love other players. There was Kobe Bryant; I love his Mamba Mentality. I always listen to him. There are also cricketers, like Virat Kohli, who inspire me.

Q: Who would play Manika Batra if a biopic was made on you in the future?

Manika Batra: In Bollywood, many actresses are tall. Because I am tall, I would like them (any of the tall actresses) to play my role.

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