Madhurika Patkar is an Indian table-tennis player. She has been playing the sport from the age of seven. With her sheer hard work & determination, she beat serial winner Poulomi Ghatak in 2016 to win the 78th 11Even Sports Senior National and Inter-State Table Tennis Championship. Followed by winning the Indian national Table Tennis championship in the Women’s Singles. She was a part of an Indian trio who defeated Singapore in the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast and won a Gold medal for India.
Madhurika Patkar has been honored by the most prestigious sports award the “ARJUNA AWARD” for the year 2020.
Women Fitness got in touch with the Arjuna Award-winner Madhurika Patkar for an interview, read on as she shares her inspiring story to become an international table tennis player.
N.N
When was the first time you felt that you were made for table tennis? What attracted you to this sport?
M.P
I started playing Table Tennis at the age of 7. At that time I used to go for Dancing, Swimming and Drawing classes as well and all the teachers said that I was really good cos whatever I do I like to give my 100 %.
At first TT was just an activity or a hobby but when my TT coach asked me and my Dad to choose and focus on one sport /activity there was no second thought. I chose TT. I just love the sound of the ball, the feel of the racket, the rhythm, different skill sets the player has to have to be the best . It’s like I was destined to play Table Tennis
N.N
Share your education & sports journey to become a national junior champion to an international player.
M.P
I did my schooling from Holy Cross Convent High School and secured 82.8% in S.S.C ,completed my Graduation from Mulund College of Commerce and secured 84% in H.S.C and 75% in T.Y.B.Com . I have also done my Post Graduation Diploma in Business Administration in Finance and Human Resources. I was good in Academics as well.
I always believe that Sports and Academics go hand in hand, and they complement each other. I can use my maths, science, anatomy, thinking power, memory for TT and the concentration while studying ( TT needs a very high level of concentration , presence of mind , quick thinking ) .
It is pure Time Management. Sports teaches you to prioritize things. I use to focus more on training and matches till December or January till the National Championship and I studied for a month or so before the board exams .
My Sports Journey till now has been great .The first tournament I participated was in the year 1996 and I represented India for the first time in the year 2000 and ever since then I have represented India in different categories .IT started from winning at the District level ,State level then going on to the National and finally the International level .
At every stage, the intensity of my practice sessions was increased. Sports was not a hobby or a past time anymore, it had become professional. To become an international player, you need efforts from your team which includes your family, coach, physical trainer, yoga trainer, sports psychologist, dietician, physio, manager. One must be disciplined, hardworking, make the right choices and most importantly having the attitude to always improve and having perseverance.
FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness Org
N.N.
Share Your experience of being a part of Indian trio who defeated Singapore in 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast and won a Gold medal for India. Struggles, challenges and about victory.
M.P.
Commonwealth Games 2018 performance is one of my best performances. Defeating the 2010 World Champions was great. We as a National Team started training for 2018 CWG from 2016. I was hardly at home. Out of 365 days 330 days I was either in Training camps or Tournaments. At first, we started training with 16 or more players slowly reducing to only 5 team members. We had training camps in China, Portugal and in India.
The atmosphere in Games is totally different to our World Championships or any other international tournament. In Games the Indian Contingent travels together, there is a separate Athlete’s village where athletes from all the countries and sport participating stay together. So, you get to see the best of best players from different sports. The aura, the atmosphere, the energy is so high in the Games village. It takes time to acclimatize to this. Me and Mouma Das were the experienced players of the team as we have played many such Games earlier.
The format in the Team event was different. The third match was doubles and every playing member had to play singles as well. The main challenge we had as a team was to form a good doubles pair as Doubles was going to play a very important match in Teams .Me and Mouma were never paired together so we had to really practice hard for doubles . Cos in doubles we need to play what is suitable for our partner, play a shot which can be a good ball for her. We need to really understand our partner. Me and Mouma have a good rapport and we both are good doubles players, so it became little easy for us to form our pair. Likewise, doubles played the deciding factor in the Semi Finals against England and the finals against Singapore.
In the finals it was just the mindset. We had team meeting before every Team match to discuss our Team putting and the strategy. IT was our Team spirit and the words from our coaches, managers, TTFI officials that gave us confidence. We 5 girls were a Team, the Team spirit made the difference and of course the hard work we did for so many years. When I am in the court wearing the Indian jersey, I get a different energy altogether. There is a next level dedication and efforts to win the match and to give my best.
N.N.
According to you “TT has evolved in such a way that we require a high level of physical strength and fitness. We need power in the core and legs,” Share the physical training routine to gain optimum level of performance.
M.P.
That’s absolutely true. The game has evolved so much that now you need more Physical Strength or you will succumb to injuries .We as TT players need a lot of core ,legs, back , shoulder strength plus agility ,endurance , balance , explosive strength as well .
I have a strength and a conditioning coach. She designs training programme for me. In off season or if there is a month or more time for a tournament we focus more on Strength and Endurance training and less of other aspects … but as the tournament comes closer or during the season we focus more on agility ,explosive training or game specific exercises and less of endurance.
The need of every individual is different. One must take a physical assessment test and design the exercise schedule with his/her physical trainer likewise and keep track of the improvement.
I have sustained in TT for so many years it’s just because of my physical fitness. If I must compete with the youth and the younger generation then I must have an agile body and a fitter body and use my experience as well.
N.N.
Share your diet pattern? Food you love to eat and avoid as a sportsperson. Also share supplements essential for physical betterment.
M.P.
My dietician plans the diet for me. I do take a lot of supplements like Vitamins, B 12, D 3, C, Omega, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc also protein Powder with MCT oil or Virgin Coconut Oil. I eat Dry Fruits, Proteins, Fruits, and lot of Greens.
I am a big-time foodie, but I must resist myself. Cos my favourite foods are the foods which are not allowed for a me like I love Chat, Pav Bhaji, Sweets. But I do eat them once to just get the yummmmmm feeling and I then workout harder. I avoid the guilt feeling because I feel that it hampers your body more. so, all the decisions are my choices.
Here too one must take tests and consult a dietician for a proper diet.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness Org
N.N.
You were among 27 sportspersons who were honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Awards in 2020 at the virtual National Sports Awards ceremony. Share your experience when you received the message.
M.P.
I was sooo happy when I got the news that I have got the Arjuna Award. My coach gave me the news and we had tears in our eyes. I called my dad first, but he already knew, and we were so happy and planning things. Next, I called home and we were speechless at first. Over the next few days my phone and my social media handles was flooded with congratulations messages and calls.
Arjuna Award is one of the prestigious awards in our country. I have been watching the national Awards function every year and always wanted to receive the Award. It is an honour and a pride to receive the Award from the hands of our Honourable President. You are now the ambassador of the sport and many young players will follow your footsteps. It is the recognition you get of the hard work of so many years.
The virtual ceremony was a unique experience.
N.N
Young Girls & Women in India need to be well informed on the significance of sports, physical activity & healthy lifestyle. How do you go about spreading the word about the same? Please share programs you are affiliated with.
M.P
I have started an organisation called Sheerose which is aimed at promoting sports especially for young girls and how it can help them .Few months back we organised a live sports conference for 16 hrs covering various sports related topics ranging from mental to menstrual health and fitness . We also sponsor girls who are talented
Regular live sessions on social media also help a larger audience to address.
N.N.
“We wake up and have a fitness session with the trainer over a Zoom call. Then, I call up the coach for shadow practice.” In the present pandemic how have you been able to upkeep your training & fitness routine?
M.P.
During the Pandemic I focused on my physical and mental fitness. Due to Lockdown we all were forced to work virtually. I had planned my sessions with my physical trainer, coach, and my yoga trainer through video calls. Being a professional sportsperson, I had to keep up with my training, so I use to call my coach and use to do shadow practices of different strokes or footwork or do match analysis on some days.
I used to do physical training twice a day making use of the therabands, loop bands, power bands, kettlebell, swiss ball, medicine ball, Bosu ball.
Fitness is the core of everything, fitness includes mental and physical fitness both. It’s like a relationship you build with your mind, body and soul which gives with the best results.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness Org
N.N.
Your future upcoming competitions & plans?
M.P.
As of now everything is vague. We do not have any matches. Most probably the International and the National Tournaments will start from January. Currently I am back on table and working on my technique
N.N.
Message for young upcoming players in the field of Table Tennis.
M.P.
The sound of the bat and the ball itself gives happiness most of the times. Enjoy every moment you play. If you want to be a good player then you must work 24* 7 which means that off table practice is also important.
Work your way to achieve your dreams. Focus on the process and the results will follow.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness Org