When it comes to Squash in India the first name that we can think of is Saurav Ghosal. His name became synonymous to Squash since 2003. During all these years he has won 12 national championships and got medals in every Asian Game that he participated in. He is the flag bearer for Squash in India. From the moment he made his debut in what was considered to be an elite game in our country.
Earlier Achievements
It was back in 2002 when Bhattacharya became the first Indian to participate in any major Squash tournament but it took another 12 years before India got a gold in this event and Ghosal was one of those who made this happen in 2014.
The 32-year-old squash star, Saurav Ghosal is about to go all guns blazing in order to get a gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games. Arguably the best from India is participating for the fourth time in this event which takes place after a gap of four years. He managed to bring a medal every time he participated in the event.
Looking for gold in solo event
In 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, he came close to realizing his dream but unfortunately had to settle for a silver medal. He was able to grab the gold medal in a doubles game along with Harinder Pal Sandhu, Mahesh Mangoankar, and Kush Kumar but he is still looking for the gold in a solo event.
In the earlier events that took place in Guangzhou in 2010 and in Doha in 2006. He was able to bag a bronze medal in each of them.
Ghosal turned 32 on last Friday, is the senior-most player in the squash contingent. He ranks 12th in the world when it comes to squash.
“I don’t know if these are my last (Asian Games),” Ghosal said. “Obviously, I want to do well for India and myself and winning an individual gold is my aim,”.
2018 was not the best for him
The year 2018 hasn’t been the best for Ghosal. He was ousted during the second round of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April. He also saw a second round exit during the British Open in May.
For the Asian Games, he trained with David Palmer at the Cornell University in the USA. After this, he met his coach Malcolm Willstrop (who is the father of James Willstrop, former number 1 in the event.). He met him in Leeds and finally joined the Asian Games camp in Chennai.
He is a fighter and will be making a come back whether it’s on-field or off-field. The Arujana award winner suffered a career-ending ankle injury in 2016. But he kept his dream of winning a gold in his mind. This helped him in making a complete recovery in order to realize it in this year’s Asian Games.
“At the Games, it will come down to implementing what I have learned so far. I am quite positive going into Asian Games that will start the new season.” He said.