Sports

What Is Manika Batra’s Secret Move ‘Bhangra Twiddle’?

In May at the Saudi SMAASH tournament, Manika Batra executed a memorable move against Chinese player Wang Manyu, using a technique called “twiddling” during match point. With the score at 11-10 in her favor after trailing 8-10, Manika rotated her table tennis paddle to quickly switch grips from backhand to forehand. Although she’s been trained in this maneuver for 15 years, she rarely employs it and usually only for hard hits that are seldom effective.

Against the World No. 2, Wang Manyu, Manika predicted that Wang would anticipate a backhand and cleverly used the twiddle to place the ball on Wang’s forehand. This move was risky, as Chinese players are known for their strong counterplay. If Manika had missed, Wang could have leveled the score to 11-11, potentially leading to a deciding game.

The term “twiddle” is derived from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, referring to the slight grip change, similar to the near-indistinguishable twins Tweedledee and Tweedledum. It involves a subtle switch in grip by loosening the wrist, akin to a ‘Bhangra’ step with a table tennis paddle.

The defeat to Batra may have jeopardized Wang Manyu’s chances for an individual spot on the Chinese team, though she will still participate in team events.

Drishya Madhur

I bring my expertise and enthusiasm to my role as a sub-editor at The Daily Guardian, where I contribute to creating meaningful and thought-provoking content daily. With a background in Journalism and Mass Communication, I have dedicated the last three years to honing my craft as a content writer. Over this time, I have gained extensive experience in News Writing, Blog Writing, Article Writing, and Content Writing, showcasing my ability to adapt my writing style to diverse platforms and audiences. My journey in the dynamic world of media has not only sharpened my storytelling abilities but also deepened my understanding of how impactful communication can shape perspectives.

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