N.N.
Share Your experience of being a part of Indian trio who defeated Singapore in 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast and won a Gold medal for India. Struggles, challenges and about victory.
M.P.
Commonwealth Games 2018 performance is one of my best performances. Defeating the 2010 World Champions was great. We as a National Team started training for 2018 CWG from 2016. I was hardly at home. Out of 365 days 330 days I was either in Training camps or Tournaments. At first, we started training with 16 or more players slowly reducing to only 5 team members. We had training camps in China, Portugal and in India.
The atmosphere in Games is totally different to our World Championships or any other international tournament. In Games the Indian Contingent travels together, there is a separate Athlete’s village where athletes from all the countries and sport participating stay together. So, you get to see the best of best players from different sports. The aura, the atmosphere, the energy is so high in the Games village. It takes time to acclimatize to this. Me and Mouma Das were the experienced players of the team as we have played many such Games earlier.
The format in the Team event was different. The third match was doubles and every playing member had to play singles as well. The main challenge we had as a team was to form a good doubles pair as Doubles was going to play a very important match in Teams .Me and Mouma were never paired together so we had to really practice hard for doubles . Cos in doubles we need to play what is suitable for our partner, play a shot which can be a good ball for her. We need to really understand our partner. Me and Mouma have a good rapport and we both are good doubles players, so it became little easy for us to form our pair. Likewise, doubles played the deciding factor in the Semi Finals against England and the finals against Singapore.
In the finals it was just the mindset. We had team meeting before every Team match to discuss our Team putting and the strategy. IT was our Team spirit and the words from our coaches, managers, TTFI officials that gave us confidence. We 5 girls were a Team, the Team spirit made the difference and of course the hard work we did for so many years. When I am in the court wearing the Indian jersey, I get a different energy altogether. There is a next level dedication and efforts to win the match and to give my best.
N.N.
According to you “TT has evolved in such a way that we require a high level of physical strength and fitness. We need power in the core and legs,” Share the physical training routine to gain optimum level of performance.
M.P.
That’s absolutely true. The game has evolved so much that now you need more Physical Strength or you will succumb to injuries .We as TT players need a lot of core ,legs, back , shoulder strength plus agility ,endurance , balance , explosive strength as well .
I have a strength and a conditioning coach. She designs training programme for me. In off season or if there is a month or more time for a tournament we focus more on Strength and Endurance training and less of other aspects … but as the tournament comes closer or during the season we focus more on agility ,explosive training or game specific exercises and less of endurance.
The need of every individual is different. One must take a physical assessment test and design the exercise schedule with his/her physical trainer likewise and keep track of the improvement.
I have sustained in TT for so many years it’s just because of my physical fitness. If I must compete with the youth and the younger generation then I must have an agile body and a fitter body and use my experience as well.
N.N.
Share your diet pattern? Food you love to eat and avoid as a sportsperson. Also share supplements essential for physical betterment.
M.P.
My dietician plans the diet for me. I do take a lot of supplements like Vitamins, B 12, D 3, C, Omega, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc also protein Powder with MCT oil or Virgin Coconut Oil. I eat Dry Fruits, Proteins, Fruits, and lot of Greens.
I am a big-time foodie, but I must resist myself. Cos my favourite foods are the foods which are not allowed for a me like I love Chat, Pav Bhaji, Sweets. But I do eat them once to just get the yummmmmm feeling and I then workout harder. I avoid the guilt feeling because I feel that it hampers your body more. so, all the decisions are my choices.
Here too one must take tests and consult a dietician for a proper diet.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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