The second session of the RevSportz Trailblazers Conclave 2.0 was on ‘Handling Pressure’. Hockey stalwarts PR Sreejesh, Savita Punia, Viren Rasquinha, para-badminton star Manasi Joshi and shooter Shriyanka Sadarangi were the speakers in this session moderated by Prantik Mazumdar.
Rasquinha set it up by saying that pressure is a privilege. “It means a lot that you are there representing your country.” Elaborating, he said it was about keeping things simple. “I learnt this from Prakash Padukone. It’s basically in the mind. It’s up to us whether we want to keep it simple or make it complicated. If you have prepared enough, you will have confidence. If you are confident, there will be no pressure,” said Rasquinha.
Sreejesh was reminded of the Tokyo 2020 quarter-final. With six seconds remaining, Germany got a penalty corner. India had a one-goal advantage. Sreejesh had to save the German attempt and he did. “Pressure comes from expectations. If you learn how to enjoy the game instead of thinking of winning, there will be no pressure. I learnt this the hard way,” said the goalkeeper.
Manasi said she doesn’t feel pressure. “It’s about giving my 100%. I focus on reproducing in the match what I do in practice. If I am focussed fully on that process, there is no room for pressure in my mind. I agree with Viren that an athlete’s first task is to ensure that the process has been followed.”
For Savita and the women’s hockey team, it’s about overcoming the disappointment of not qualifying for Paris 2024 and looking ahead. “It was very difficult to deal with that setback. But being the captain and an individual player, it’s my job to re-motivate the team recharge myself.” For her, this is a different kind of pressure. “We are looking ahead. Four years in not such a long time.”
Shriyanka concurred with Viren and Manasi that preparation is the best way of handling pressure. “It’s about understanding yourself. You can control only a few things and most of the things are beyond your control. So, you follow your routine and forget the rest. People ask me how I am preparing for Paris. I say it’s the same routine. I’m just following it diligently. And a little pressure is good. It shows you want to do well.”