Para-shuttler Sanjeev back after France heroics

More than a year ago,when Sanjeev Kumar had approached national coach Surinder Mahajan at the PU badminton hall for training,the para-athlete was thinking about the adjustment he would require to play among the junior Indian players at the hall.

More than a year ago,when Sanjeev Kumar had approached national coach Surinder Mahajan at the PU badminton hall for training,the para-athlete was thinking about the adjustment he would require to play among the junior Indian players at the hall. Disabled since birth,Sanjeev had been a regular winner at the national circuit and on Friday,as he returned from France after winning a bronze medal in the singles category in the second French International Para Badminton Championship,Kumar went to meet the junior players to share the joy.

Its been a tough journey for me. When I came to Chandigarh more than a year ago,I wanted to train like normal players. It was after two days that Surinder sir agreed to coach me and it was a big relief for me. The competition in France was tough and I won all my matches before I lost to Englands Rocky Martin. But it has been a learning experience for me. I am aiming to play in the Rocky Martinlater this year and want to fetch a medal for Indian, shares Kumar,who originally hails from Khuian Sarwar village near Abohar,Punjab.

A three-time international medalist,Kumar won his first medal in the domestic circuit in the 2009 National Championship in the doubles and later won the singles silver in 2010. He then won the bronze medal in the singles category in the Israel Open in 2010 and became the singles and doubles champion in the 2011 Nationals.

We did not have enough facilities in Abohar. My father works as a peon in a school and I wanted to play for the Indian team. Junior Indian players like Oscar Bansal and Rupinder Pal have been very supportive and I have benefited a lot from playing with them. They specially trained with me to help me improve my skills. Apart from them,businessman Shivlal Doda funded my trip with Rs 42,600 and NRI Balwant Kaur Gill too contributed Rs 10,000, shared Kumar.

While he is preparing hard for the National Championship to be held in July,coach Surinder Mahajan believes that he needs more exposure abroad. The way he has improved is tremendous. He has got very good hand-eye coordination and plays with his mind. He has so far taken part in five international tournaments and for more medals,he needs to train abroad. He has still not got a job and it is difficult for him in these situations, noted Mahajan.

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Sanjeev Kumar