World no. 1 Indian para shuttler Pramod Bhagat believes he has the “strongest mindset on the planet” and goals to make a comeback from the Tokyo Paralympics with two gold medals to finish his illustrious trophy cupboard.
The 33-year-old, who’s the present Asian and World champion, has certified for the Tokyo Paralympics together with Palak Kohli in two occasions – males’s singles SL3 and combined doubles SL3-SU5.
SL3 refers to minor standing or decrease limb impairment, whereas SU5 refers to gamers with higher limb impairment.
“Ever since I started my professional journey, I have been waiting for this day, and it is also the only medal that is missing from achievements,” Bhagat, who suffered from polio at an early age, mentioned in an interview.
“Currently I’m in my best shape with the strongest mindset on the planet. My coach and trainer worked on me a lot. I had some shortcomings which I’m slowly working on.”
The Indian badminton contingent will go away for Tokyo on Friday and Bhagat will probably be a significant contender for the gold medal on the Games, the place para badminton is making its debut.
“I don’t want to disappoint the 1.4 billion people who are behind me, my aim is to get India’s first gold medal in Paralympic badminton. My target is 2 gold, in singles,” mentioned Bhagat, who has received 5 medals on the World Championships to date. Another is to be in combined doubles.
“Not being even. 1 provides plenty of strain to carry out on the world stage, I’m utilizing it as a motivation for my efficiency. We are hoping to win at the very least 3-4 medals for India. are.
“My whole focus is on the event and the way I wish to give my finest. I’m additionally retaining my thoughts clear and never stressing or interested by something. It’s going to be big for me as a result of it is a medal I’ve missed out on.”
Bhagat had received two gold medals on the Dubai Para Badminton event in April when the game returned after a year-long break as a result of pandemic.
Pramod Bhagat and Devendra Jhajharia are India’s two quickest medal hopefuls on the Tokyo Paralympics.
“Dubai was like a litmus test for all of us as we were playing a tournament after almost a year. It really tested us, no matter how much you practice, the match is a different ball game,” mentioned Bhagat, who received the singles gold and received the lads’s doubles gold within the SL4-SL3 class together with Manoj Sarkar.
“The previous few years have been actually good for me as a result of I really feel like I’m at my prime and enjoying very nicely. I’m working in the direction of sustaining it and practising very onerous and evolving.”
The Paralympics, just like the Olympics, will probably be held within the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and Bhagat mentioned the well being disaster will at all times be in the back of the thoughts.
“The virus has wreaked havoc not just for me however for everybody. There will at all times be issues concerning the virus threatening your complete marketing campaign however I’m not interested by it.
Right now my focus is on enjoying my finest sport on this event.
How troublesome was it to coach for the Paralympics with the pandemic placing the nation below lockdown?
Bhagat mentioned, “Initially the entire situation was very unsure. The closure of coaching amenities and courts made it actually troublesome to coach and keep match, however steadily the federal government made it vital for us to coach at the very least at house. organized.”
“Once the courts opened we have been again to bubble coaching for the Paralympics.
“It was good that at the very least we bought some sport time within the lately concluded Dubai Para Badminton event, which actually helped us work out the place we’re in the case of match follow and courtroom stamina. stand.”
So, will it have an effect on the efficiency?
“It can occur when you let it, so I block these ideas and simply go about my sport. During the lockdown, I not solely labored on my bodily energy and stroke play, but in addition centered on my psychological well being.
Badminton motion will start in Tokyo on 1 September.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
