New Delhi, Sep 16: Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, synonymous with Indian squash over the past two decades, have unfinished business going into what could be their last appearance at the Asian Games.
Ghosal and Joshna, who both turned 37 recently, will be featuring in their sixth Asian Games, a testament to their remarkable longevity in a physically demanding sport like squash.
A week way from celebrating her 32nd birthday, Dipika will be entering her fourth and in all probability last Asian Games. The mother of two, who doesn’t play singles anymore, will be eyeing a mixed doubles gold alongside Harinder Pal Sandhu in Hangzhou.
Ghosal and Joshna too are in the twilight or their careers and Hangzhou could be their one final chance to add a singles gold to the rich medal count at the continental event, having won seven and four medals respectively since their maiden outing in 2002.
Though the level at Asian Games is not as high as the Commonwealth Games, the job for Ghosal and Joshna will be far from easy.
Ghosal targets elusive singles gold
The psychological wounds of a heartbreaking loss in the men’s singles final at the 2014 Incheon edition remain fresh in Ghosal’s mind as the veteran athlete goes into the Games once again as the favourite for the gold medal.
Leading 2-0 and a match ball in the third game, he had the gold very much in sight until Abdullah Al Muzayen from Kuwait bounced back from nowhere to stage a winning comeback.
Ghosal is not bitter about that loss but remains determined to win the gold.
“When I started back then, never thought I would go on to play in six Asian Games. Representing India has been the biggest honour. In terms of highs and lows, the biggest high was 2014 when we won the team gold for the first time and biggest low was also the 2014 silver. Winning the first bronze in 2006 will always be special. The gold is obviously the target this time as I have not done it yet,” said Ghosal, who won a historic bronze in Commonwealth Games last year. (PTI)
