Boria Majumdar in Paris
Lakshya Sen versus HS Prannoy had just ended, and it was a no-contest. Lakshya, riding on some stellar form and some fantastic shots, won the match easily against his senior rival and made it to the quarterfinals. Prannoy, batting physical and mental fatigue, had expectedly lost and his Olympic dreams were over. For the few Indian journalists who were there in the mixed zone, it was a routine interaction. Lakshya said he would try everything to be at his best for the quarterfinal, while Prannoy had come because there is a compulsion to do so. Every Indian journalist present empathised with Prannoy. Each was aware of what he had gone through to be here. And each wanted to celebrate him.
That’s when I asked him the first question. And it was straight from the heart. Chikungunya, 104-degrees viral fever – while mentally he was in Paris and wanted to be here, his body was not allowing him to do so. Would he like to comment?
I have known Prannoy for years now. And known him well. Never have I seen him like this. All he could say was, “Last 25 days have been very tough…” His voice choked and he fell apart. He just sat down in tears. There was an awkward silence in the room and finally we extended a hand to him to say we did not want him to speak more. He should just go and gather himself.
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As he was doing so, my mind went back to what Prannoy has done to come to the Games. He was down with the dreaded Chikungunya, and yet did not give up on training. Within 10 days, he was back on court and was training with intensity. Just when it seemed the ill health was a thing of the past, he was laid low by a bad bout of viral. It took away another three to four days from him. Many would have given up. They would have cited illness and perhaps withdrawn. Not so Prannoy. He pushed himself and his ailing body to come to Paris. Pushed himself to win the group, make the last 16 and play an in-form Lakshya. He did not give up till the very last point. Very Prannoy, and something that defines him.
“With Prannoy, I have to say I feel surprised,” said Pullela Gopichand, the national coach. “How can he, with so many issues, win an Asian Games medal, a World Championship medal and a Thomas Cup medal, and also make it to the Olympics? I wouldn’t think many would be able to do what he does. Let me say he has surprised me far too many times. Few have this kind of heart and determination.”
That’s what defines Prannoy. Heart. The never-give-up attitude. Even when he knows his body is betraying him, he has pushed himself mentally. And that’s why he will forever remain an icon. Someone who continued to inspire against all odds. Win or lose, Prannoy is all about resilience and effort and that’s what sport is about. The pain and the suffering. For years and years, and yet you don’t give up. You just learn to fail better. Thank you, Prannoy, for all the effort. Medal or not, we will continue to celebrate you.