He is one of the most articulate athletes you could come across. Poised, calm and focussed, Saurav Ghosal is an interviewer’s delight. And if the going is good, the conversation only gets better and better. Ghosal, who is on cloud nine after winning the team gold in squash at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, spoke about his own preparation, the tension, chances in the individual category and a lot more in this conversation with Boria Majumdar.
Boria: When I first got in touch, I remember you telling me about your preparation. Now that the games are underway and you have won gold, how would you describe it all?
Saurav Ghosal: Yes, I had a very good training stint with my coaches and must say the preparations have been excellent. It has been a good year for me so far, and I am very confident of delivering some special performances at the Asian Games and winning medals for my country. The moot point is how you pace yourself. While you need to be very well prepared, you don’t want to overdo things so you can be in the best shape physically and mentally. That’s where all the planning is required, and that’s what I am very satisfied with. Think the entire team has been able to do that, and can now deliver on the results. You have seen the final. It was physically draining. Mentally, one had to be switched on. Abhay [Singh] was brilliant, and all credit to him for not giving up. That’s what makes you a better player.
Boria: You have been a stalwart of the sport for years now. You have won big medals in the past. Been there and done that, as they say. Does this experience help going into a multi-discipline event like this?
Saurav: It absolutely does. I have been playing at this level for 15 years now and, as you said, know how major events like these unfold. You actually know what to expect and as a result have a sense of how and when to push yourself. That’s where experience comes into play. Situations don’t faze you anymore. If something crops up that you haven’t really anticipated or expected, you aren’t thrown off gear. Because you have the experience, you can deal with anything that is thrown at you.
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Boria: Tell me a little about the team?
Saurav: First, let’s all agree it is a historic moment. We have a very close bond. First, you need to keep calm and keep your excitement in check. It is not over till it’s over. That’s what I was telling Abhay. He played fantastic under pressure. To save two match points, like I said to you, is actually a huge achievement, and I think this will make him a much better player going forward.
Boria: Give me a realistic sense if you can of medals – I mean what’s really possible and what should we expect because we have been building up the sport and saying three to four medals from squash. Does that add to the pressure on you all?
Saurav: Pressure is a privilege. I always say this. If you are putting pressure on me, it means I have done something for you to believe in my abilities. Medals – I will say three to four medals if we are able to perform to potential, including two gold medals. But the important thing is to emphasise on the process. As far as the Asian Games is concerned, it is an important event in terms of the standard of competition. So winning medals isn’t easy. Having said that, we have done everything we needed to do to ensure we are ready. That’s what is the key. To win and get to the later stages when anything can happen. And that’s where we need to give our best and make the preparations count and win.
Boria: Very well said. So, now that the team event is done, it is time for you as an individual to take centre stage.
Saurav: Yes, and I will give it my best. It is about honing your skills, making the most of all the effort you have put in. Till a month earlier, it was about killing your body, pushing as hard as you possibly can. Now you need to stay focussed and go about the job on hand, and create memories that you can look back on and be proud of. Collectively, as a team, we have done that. These are memories that will be our legacies in the months and years to come. And may I say, these memories will mean all of you can be proud of us and the sport, and what we have been able to do for the country here in China.
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