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Badminton

Arjuna will boost my Tokyo 2020 preparations: para badminton ace Pramod Bhagat

Pramod Bhagat became the fourth para badminton player to get an Arjuna Award after former world champions Parul Parmer, Raj Kumar and Manoj Sarkar.

Arjuna will boost my Tokyo 2020 preparations: para badminton ace Pramod Bhagat
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Published: 21 Aug 2019 9:13 AM GMT

His hard work over the years has finally been paid off after being nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award, something he had waited for years. However, the dedicated shuttler has no time to celebrate as he is spearheading India’s challenge at the BWF para Badminton World Championships in Basel, Switzerland. The championships, hosted for the first time alongside the abled-body event, started with the round-robin matches on the day.

Pramod Bhagat

“It’s a mixed feeling. I am very excited and happy. For every Indian sportsperson, it’s a dream to win the National Award. But now that I am playing at the World Championships, I want to keep my focus and play well. The party can wait,” Bhagat told Paralympic Committee of India.

But the Arjuna Award has come at the right time, giving a big boost for the preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 

“Also I feel recognition is important to inspire the youngsters. The Award will motivate young para badminton players to pursue the sport. My main target for now is to gain the qualification points and maintain the lead

Bhagat became the fourth para badminton player to get an Arjuna after former world champions Parul Parmer, Raj Kumar and Manoj Sarkar who received the honour in the past years. He will receive the award along with 18 others that include para athlete Sundar Singh Gurjar and cricketer Ravindra Jadeja. 

Over the years, Bhagat rode on his hard work and strong determination to emerge winner and overcome big names.

National coach Gaurav Khanna, who has played one of the most important roles in Bhagat’s upward surge, praised his ward as one of the most dedicated in the camp.

Bhagat already has eight gold medals (five singles and three doubles) this year itself from six tournaments - World Games 2019, Turkey 2019, Dubai 2019, Uganda 2019, Canada 2019 and Ireland 2019.

Para Badminton star and World no. 1 Pramod Bhagat with Japanese world champion Nozomi Okuhara in Basel, ahead of the BWF World Championships.

“I am very happy for Pramod. His outside personality seems like a funny casual person but from inside, he is very sensitive, caring and emotional. And that reflects in his game. He is the most popular guy among all my trainees at my centre and no less than a hero. He is one of the dedicated players in the camp and his never giving up attitude stands out. This award is a big boost for para Badminton fraternity,” Khanna said.

Lin Dan and Sachin Tendulkar

Five-time world champion Lin Dan might have been shown the doors early at the Basel 2019 World Championships, but Bhagat is a die-hard fan of the legend. “I have followed Dan since I started playing the game in 2006. I like his sudden response to a situation and how he commands over the game, even from the losing position.

“I like his style of play and domination from any situation. While I also try to follow Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline. He motivates me every day,” said the 31-year-old who has been affected by polio since the age of four.

At the World Championships, the Indian side led by Bhagat had a comfortable opening day having won their respective league matches. Top two players from each of the groups (at least eight) will advance to quarter-finals.

“I hope to turn my bronze to gold this time at the Worlds. I believe my experience and winning confidence will play a big role,” he added of his campaign at Basel 2019.

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