Rituparna Das is one of the top-ranked badminton players in India who predominantly competes in the singles category. She broke into prominence after winning the India International Series and Polish International in the year 2016.
A glimpse of some of her career achievements:
- Won the Polish International tournament in 2016 in the women’s singles event
- Clinched the title of India International Series in the women’s singles category in 2016
- Earned a silver medal at the 2018 Belgian International
- Emerged victorious at the 2018 Polish International by defeating Vrushali Gummadi by 21-11, 21-14
- Became runner-up at the Italian International and Dubai International tournaments in 2019.
Women Fitness joins the badminton star, Rituparna Das in a Candid interview.
Namita Nayyar:
What motivated you to take up badminton as a professional sport? Walk us down the early years of the sport.
Rituparna Das:
I started playing at the age of 6 in my hometown Haldia. The environment for badminton was really amazing and very motivating.so, I joined my coaching camp and started playing. in the early years, I won a few competitions that motivated me more to take this sport professionally and I started enjoying it a lot.
Namita Nayyar:
You became the second Bengali female player after Madhumita Bisht Goswami to get into the senior Indian badminton squad. Share the challenges you faced at the personal & physical levels.
Rituparna Das:
I used to play in Haldia during weekdays but for better training, I had to go to Kolkata every weekend which was really difficult and tiring as it is a 3 hr journey. Before my first main nationals in under 13, I stayed in Kolkata for a month away from my family and friends which was really a big thing at that point in my life. After that, I got selected to train at the Gopichand academy and had to leave everyone to go and settle in a new place. This was really a big challenge because I was all alone in a new place with new people around. But I settled quite well and had amazing support to make me feel at home.
Namita Nayyar:
Share your daily fitness routine. 5 exercises that are sport-specific to help prevent injury?
Rituparna Das:
My fitness routine- morning my session starts at 8 am on court practice, so I leave for from my house a little early to do a few strengthening exercises before my practice. It’s a 3 hours session. Then In the evening, there are training sessions (track running /weight training).
Exercises to prevent injuries- good warm-up and stretching before training, strengthening exercises for different muscle groups, cool down after the training ends, need to stay hydrated.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your diet routine to stay physically fit? foods you try to keep to a minimum.
Rituparna Das:
I follow a low carb high protein diet and occasionally give myself a guilty treat of something sweet.
Namita Nayyar:
Your Inspiring role model. Motivational quote you live by.
Rituparna Das:
I don’t have a role model as such but I like Carolina Marin and Tai Tzu Ying‘s game and learn from their game as much as possible.
To be honest I don’t have a quote as such either but I do follow a motto in my life which is ‘Never Give Up. I am unlucky to have faced many injuries in my career. So, this motto is extremely meaningful to me and gives me the enthusiasm to rise up again and do my best.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for your fans & WF followers?
Rituparna Das:
Keep working hard and focus on what you want and don’t stop until you succeed. Be truthful to yourself and work meticulously. As many successful people have said there is no shortcut to success.
Namita Nayyar:
5 tips to enhance sports performance?
Rituparna Das:
Tips to enhance sports performance-
- 1st you have to set goals.
- 2nd have to maintain a proper diet.
- 3rd have to make a proper training schedule and training program
- 4th recovery is important
- 5th focus and hard work.
Namita Nayyar:
A lot of sportspeople are discouraged after losing in sports or life. Your piece of advice on handling such a situation at an emotional & mental level?
Rituparna Das:
Winning and losing are a part and parcel of any competitive sport or rather life. It’s never a straight line and it is full of ups and downs. You will have to take everything in your stride, learn from the mistakes and move on to the next challenge with your head held high.
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