The 2024 Paris Olympics 2024 are fast approaching, and Indian fans are hopeful of medals in badminton. Among the participants, many eyes will be on the women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, who have shown great potential in recent matches. In this episode of ‘Trailblazers: Celebrating Champions’, Ashwini and Tanisha spoke with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, about their preparations, final week goals, strategies for handling pressure, and much more.
Ashwini has the experience of multiple Olympic appearances, while Tanisha will debut in Paris. Reflecting on the journey, Ashwini emphasises the importance of these final days before departure. “We are getting the last couple of days of sessions, being mindful of our body and also making sure that we do not over push and over train and get injured,” she said. “I think that is the No. 1 concern going into the final stretch and of course, we have had a good couple of weeks of training. So, we have done the work and now it’s just about like maintaining the training we have done.”
Regarding the draw, Ashwini notes that while it does play a role, the unique pressure of the Olympics makes every opponent formidable. “It depends a lot on who handles that pressure really well,” she said. “And I am really looking forward to both Tanisha and me giving our best at the Olympics here in Paris.”
Tanisha appreciates Ashwini’s calm demeanor, both on and off the court, which helps her stay composed. “Like she said, it is the last week, and our goal is to stay fit and stay happy and enjoy the process and enjoy every moment,” said Tanisha. “And we obviously cannot wait to be there.”
Ashwini acknowledges the mental aspect of Olympic pressure, noting that everyone aims to perform their best with the added weight of the event occurring only every four years. “I think from a mental standpoint, it is very important for, like Tanisha mentioned, the two of us to make sure that we enjoy the process,” said Ashwini. “I also think the training that we have done has been good. So, believe in that and stay calm and focused.”
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EXCLUSIVE
Ashwini Ponnappa is set to compete in her third #Olympics, this time teaming up with Tanisha Castro, who will make her debut at the prestigious event.
Watch to know how they’ve prepared, their methods to unwind from the pressures of the game and their ultimate goal… pic.twitter.com/yJmAZeaV3a
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 22, 2024
Despite her generally calm exterior, Ashwini admits to having her dramatic and expressive days, which Tanisha has witnessed. Their focus for the upcoming week is to take it one day at a time, ensuring effective training without over-exertion. They have been tweaking specific areas of their game and will adapt to the schedule once they arrive in Paris.
Tanisha feels grateful and lucky to participate in the opening ceremony. “I think it is a great feeling,” she said. “That’s how things started for me, where I saw the Indian flag go up after I won the tournament. And today, it is the same thought for me. I want to see our flag go up at the Olympics. So just talking about it is giving me goosebumps. I do not think I will ever forget that in my entire life.”
To unwind, both Tanisha and Ashwini enjoy food and music. They recognise the importance of occasionally stepping away from badminton to recharge. This balance helps them return to training fully refreshed and ready.
Ashwini expresses gratitude for the partnership with Tanisha, which has enabled her to aim for her third Olympics. They had planned a fun outing recently, but a dope test altered their plans, illustrating the unpredictable nature of an athlete’s life.
Tanisha is excited about the potential support in Paris. “I think more than the Indian crowd, my families are also going to be there,” she said. “So, I am probably going to be looking out for my family, but yes, having the Indian crowd is really going to be very nice for us as you know there will be a lot of cheering, there will be a lot of support for us and that will really boost us a lot.”
Ashwini acknowledges the personal expectations but stresses the importance of managing the mental aspect. “It is so important for the two of us to like deal with the mental side, and best not to talk about expectations and all the pressures because each of us would be going through our own set of expectations and pressure and which is why it is so important for us to like enjoy the moment,” she said. “When we are getting ready for the match, that switching on and switching off is really important and that is something that I think would be crucial for us.”
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