File photo of Sachin Tendulkar with Pramod Bhagat.
Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat credits his calm on-court demeanor under pressure to the sportsmanship displayed by the iconic cricketer and inspiration drawn from his graceful demeanor. Sachin Tendulkar in his career.
Defending world champion Bhagat won India’s first Paralympic gold medal with a straight-game win over Great Britain’s Daniel Bethel in the SL3 category final in Tokyo last week. The 33-year-old Indian, who contracted polio at the age of 4, showed great mental fortitude after recovering from an eight-point deficit in the second game to come trump against his opponent.
Bhagat said, “I used to play cricket as a child. During that time we used to watch cricket on Doordarshan and I was always impressed by Sachin Tendulkar’s calm demeanor, the way he conducted himself and it had a great impact on me.” Interview.
“I started following him. His sportsmanship impressed me a lot. So when I started playing, I followed the same thought process and it helped me make some memorable comebacks in many matches including the World Championships.
“When I was down 4-12 in the second game of the final, I believed I could recover and so I could stop my nerves, stay calm and come back and win.”
Bhagat had met Tendulkar after returning home from Tokyo. He gifted his racket, which he used in the final, to Tendulkar, who presented him with an autographed T-shirt and his autobiography book.
“I have been inspired by Sachin since childhood, so when I met him it was a big moment for me. He taught me about the balance of life and sport. It was a dream come true moment.”
Bhagat, who hails from Attabira in Odisha’s Bargarh district, said he did not see any future in the sport when he started out, but is now feeling overwhelmed by the response he has received from his gold medal.
“When I started badminton in 2005, I thought there was no future, but I won the 2009 World Championships title and once BWF recognized para-badminton, things slowly changed,” he said .
“But there wasn’t much recognition for para badminton and somehow I knew that a gold in the Paralympics could get me recognition and I must say I am getting everyone’s attention.”
Indian para shuttlers have won four medals including two gold, one silver and one bronze from the Tokyo Paralympics, where badminton made its debut this year. Bhagat, who has over 45 international medals including four World Championship gold medals and one gold and one bronze at the 2018 Asian Para Games, said the time has come for para shuttlers to dominate the world.
“This is just the beginning for us. The time for struggle is over and it is time to step up and achieve more,” he said. “In Tokyo, we have proved that we are the best and in the coming years, you can expect a higher level of performance and I think in next year’s Asian Games and 2024 Olympics, we will do better.”
Bhagat was supposed to play the World Championships in Tokyo next month but it has been postponed due to COVID-19 and said his next target is to win a medal in the tournament which could be held in December or March.
Bhagat also acknowledged the contribution of childhood coach Shiba Prasad Das.
“He really found me, coached me and made me who I am. He is my first mentor (coach). I used to play outside, he introduced me to indoor badminton and it was under his guidance that I won the 2009 World Championships Won the title.
“He helped me financially, mentally and physically. I used to train under him before big events. So I am very grateful to him.”
.