Squash star Joshna Chinappa was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition for her contribution to the sport and to India.

Recognition– both national and international– isn’t elusive to sports star Joshna Chinappa. A Commonwealth Games gold medalist, a WSF World Doubles Champion, a two-time Asian Individual Champion, and the winner of five Asian Games medals… the list goes on. Adding another feather to her cap, squash player has now been awarded India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, in recognition for her contribution to the sport and to India.

One of Indian squash’s most successful players, Chinappa was ranked world number 10 in the professional squash circuit. The 37-year-old is also the first Indian to win the British Junior Squash Championship in 2005 in the Under 19 category. Chinappa has won the national squash championship for a record 18 times, which is the highest by an Indian player.

With so many achievements in hand, Chinappa is a proud ambassador for her sport and for India. While one may wonder if the Padma Award was long due, Chinappa humbly responds with, “I think the timing is just right.” Now that squash is being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Chinappa is excited about the possibilities that await.

In an email interaction Joshna Chinappa gets candid with South First about the award, what it means, and preparing for LA28.

Excerpts from the interview.

You have had a fabled career, and you are one of the most prominent faces of squash in the country. Do you think the Padma award was long due?

I feel extremely humbled and honoured to be given the Padma Shri. I think the timing is great! It feels nice that my career spanning over three decades has been recognised and appreciated. 

What role has Chennai played in your growth as an athlete?

Chennai has been a big catalyst for me to pursue squash professionally. My dad introduced me to the game. He was my coach for a very long time. Besides, the squash federation is based in Chennai. That helped me to have access to good coaches and a structured training program.

Could you give us a peek into the role of your coach in shaping your career?

My dad was my main coach for many years. I have worked with some solid coaches throughout the last two decades and all have contributed significantly in their own way.  

How are you preparing for LA28? 

It’s wonderful that squash is in LA 2028! I look forward to being fit and injury free!

Squash has finally made it to the Olympics, what does it mean for veterans like you? Do you think your career would have been different had it been included as an Olympic sport earlier?

Obviously. When it’s an Olympic sport, the financial support and encouragement is completely different from the government as well as the corporates. I do feel it would have made a huge difference especially in motivating more kids to take up squash and consider it as a career.

How are you preparing to compete with top seed players who are younger? 

Squash is already a challenging sport physically. So, competing with the younger lot makes it exciting and harder on the body. I think training smart is the key. 

How do you feel about the popularity of squash in India? What can be done to attract more people to the game?

The sport has definitely gotten a lot more popular in the last few years. We have been consistently winning medals at the CWG and Asian games. We need to have more infrastructure, qualified coaches and financial support given to the younger kids, so that they can focus on playing and training comfortably.

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Almost all sports persons talk about focussing on the process, and not the outcome, while playing the sport. And yet, when the outcome is not favourable, there is a natural disappointment. How do you pick yourself up after a not-so-great game?

I personally enjoyed the grind of training and preparing for an event. But it’s with the purpose to win a medal , so it is incredibly disappointing to not be able to pull that off on certain days. That’s what sport is, you won’t have your way all the time despite all the work you put in, but you have to find a way to come out of it and keep working harder, never giving up and eventually the wins will come. 

What runs in your mind while in the heat of a game? How do you train your mind to face both healthy and unhealthy competition?

I try to focus on my game plan with each opponent. Sometimes when that doesn’t happen, I focus on the basics, one shot at a time.  I do a lot of mental work too which is equally important as the physical aspect. Also surrounding yourself with the right people and team can help cut out the unnecessary noise. 

How do you unwind?

Since my day is scheduled with training and recovery. On my off days, I really like to do nothing. I do play a lot of other sports which I enjoy and also, I read a bit. 

source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home> Community & Culture / by Fathima Ashraf / February 15th, 2024