The Olympics is what I’m after, says 18-year-old Mudit Dani confidently, who made it to the top ten of the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) world junior boys’ circuit standings in 2015. When asked how he started playing table tennis while growing up in a cricket-obsessed country, he says that it was by chance.
“It was the summer of 2006, when my grandmother had undergone surgery and I was with her to keep her company. To while away the time, I started playing table tennis in the recreation room,” says Mudit adding, “Her friend, Ratish Chachad, an ex-national champion, saw me play when he came to visit her.
He offered to train me and that’s how it all began.” Chachad gifted Mudit the Team India blazer on his tenth birthday. That was the turning point in his life, he reminisces. “I framed it and every time I look at my wall, it pushes me to play for the country,” says Mudit.
But to play competitively, one has to train rigorously and that’s bound to have its repercussions. In 2012, Mudit had to undergo a shoulder blade surgery. “It was a huge shock. I was completely dependent on someone to even eat or pick up a book at that time.
I was uncertain if I could play competitively again,” says the Mumbaikar before adding, “My paternal grandmother knew I was upset and she introduced me to BKS Iyengar’s yoga. It was difficult initially, but I gave it my all and in six months, I was able to play again.”
In 2014, Mudit won his first individual Gold at El Salvador. He has represented India 19 times with 22 medals to his name. He’s currently studying in grade XII at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai. “People say that it’s difficult to manage school and sports.
It’s really not if you know how to strike a balance. Also, my school has been extremely supportive, otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to follow a gruelling training schedule alongside academics. We need more schools to accommodate players to help them make it big,” says Mudit.
Times are changing with more people involving themselves in table tennis in the recent years, notes Mudit. “Exciting times are ahead for the sport this year,” he says with a smile. He’s planning to take a gap year after his exams to train abroad and pursue his Olympic dream.
Reach Out: facebook.com/muditdanitt