Herald: What special do you currently do in your training for your success?
Anura Prabhu Desai: I regularly do my training and fitness. I follow my coaches’ advice seriously. I am also more calm and patient than before while playing. I work hard for every single point and try to minimize my mistakes and work on improving them.
H: At what age did you start playing and what made you choose badminton over other sports?
APD: I took up the racquet at the age of six. I used to go for training with my sister. My sister eventually left badminton to focus on her studies. However, my coach Govind Navelkar advised me and said that I have the potential to excel in this sport. I played my first nationals at the age of 8 and won my first medal in the national circuit in the same tournament. This medal inspired me to win more medals for Goa. Now badminton has become my life.
H: How many hours do you devote for practice?
APD: My morning session is from 5:30 to 7:15. The next session starts at 9:45 and extends till 13:00. And the final session is from 16:00 to 17:30. So I am at the court for around 6.5 hours per day.
H: What would be your ultimate goal?
APD: My aim is to top Badminton world rankings and represent India at Olympics.
H: How do you set your goals?
APD: I set both micro and major goals. I believe in achieving my micro goals one step at a time and in turn automatically achieve my major goals.
H: What is your biggest challenge, and how do you look at it?
APD: My biggest challenge is recovering from injuries. It is hardest time for a player as you cannot practise during that period because you have to stay away from the game you love. I had some injuries in the past. Also travelling alone for tournaments as a girl is another big challenge. My parents are always worried if I am travelling alone. Staying away from my family is a hurdle since I miss my mom’s Goan food specially the fish curry.
H: Do you select any specific tournament?
APD: I play almost all National Ranking tournaments. Also I select International Ranking tournaments which enable me gain ranking points, ease of travel and accommodation expenses.
H: Under whom did you horn your skills. Do you have a coach?
APD: Currently I am coaching under Vimal Kumar and Prakash Padukone (Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, Bangalore) but at present I am in Goa and train under Roy Athaide (Panjim) and Vinayak Kamat (Margao). My fitness trainer is Krishnanath Naik and my physio is Renu Ramchandran. I learnt my basics under Govind Navelkar.
H: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
APD: My role models are Lin Dan, Carolina Marin and Saina Nehwal. According to me they are the best and I get my inspiration from them.
H: What do you study? Do you find difficulty in devoting time for studies as well as badminton?
APD: I am currently in Std XII at the National Institute of Open Schooling. Yes. Definitely devoting time for studies along with full-time badminton is a challenge. But I manage to devote at least half an hour a day for my studies. Also if I have an off-day from badminton I utilise that time to study. I devote more time for studies 15-20 days before the exams.
H: What was your greatest achievement? Any special memories?
APD: My greatest achievement is the first medal that I managed to secure for Goa after 47 years at Patna Nationals in the year 2012. Also I managed to win medals in Under-15 singles and doubles. Again at the just concluded Gujarat Nationals I secured Gold in doubles which is first Gold for Goa. Along with it I also won Bronze in singles which is also a first for a player in Goa in seniors. I am happy that I could bring Goa in spotlight at Nationals. There are many special achievements and memorable tournaments. Above mentioned ones are just a few.
H: What are your plans?
APD: I am planning to play many more internationals in 2017 and improve my senior international BWF singles ranking from current 227. Next I will be playing Bareilly Nationals from 20th to 25th March. Then I will be taking part in the India Open International Super Series at Delhi from 28th March to 2nd April. Also my XII exams are from 6th to 12th April. So this month is hectic because I have to manage both my exams and training. After my exams I can focus fully on my training at Bangalore.
H: Anything else you’d like to share?
APD: I am a contract player for Airport Authority of India. I am the brand ambassador for Geno Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
