SPORTS
Diagnosed with polio in right leg and hand, life has not been too easy for this star who has sets his eyes on 2020 Paralympic
Imagine if someone told you that he started playing a sport at 19, became World No. 1 at 34, and his next target is to win an Olympic medal at 41. Wouldn't you ridicule them? "That's what most people do when I tell them," says para badminton player Anand Kumar from Bengaluru.
Not many know outside of the badminton circle know him. "I'm not Saina (Nehwal) or a cricketer. Why would people want to know me?" he asks.
For starters, Kumar was World No. 1 in para athletes ranking in 2013. He has been a regular at most para badminton meets, and has won the Israel para Championship on three occasions. Currently ranked No. 7, Kumar says he still fails to get any recognition, but has no qualms about it.
After all, life has not been quite easy for the 36-year-old. Diagnosed with polio in the right leg and right hand, Kumar never really thought that professional badminton would be his bread and butter. When he decided to play the sport for fun at 19, his main problem was finding a coach. "I used to go to Canara Union, a sports coaching academy in Bengaluru. I wanted to learn how to play, but nobody would coach me the technical aspects of the game.
They said I was too old to learn. Normally kids between 10-12 are coached that." And so he decided to learn on his own. He would sit at the badminton courts for hours and see how coaches would train youngsters. He would then replicate the strokes during practise.
So how did he get his breakthrough? "Someone from the para association saw that I was a decent player and gave me a chance to represent India in the German International tournament in 2001. Obviously due to lack of coaching, I failed miserably. That's when I decided that I really need a coach if I want to participate in future events."
However, going for that tournament, Kumar had victory in defeat. "When I told my father that I wanted to play badminton, he straight away said no. But after a lot of convincing and seeing that I was really interested, he relented. His friend convinced him to allow me to participate. And then when he saw that I was so passionate, that he not only allowed me to go to Germany, but also sponsored my trip," Kumar says with a smile.
After the Germany trip he managed to get someone to train him, and Kumar practised diligently. His major breakthrough was winning the Israel Open in 2003, and things just spiralled upwards after that. "After winning the tournament in Israel, I was given the opportunity to participate in major events. When I won bronze at the 2004 Asian Championship, I felt that I had arrived on the big stage. It was the beginning of something new, and I was ready for it." By the way, he won the Israel Open thrice.
After claiming the World No. 1 spot in June 2013, Kumar decided that he wanted to give back to the sport. So he started the Anand Kumar badminton academy, where he not only coaches para athletes, but also normal kids. "There are so many kids who want to take up the sport, but don't get the facilities or the right coaching. That's why I started the academy," he says.
He's also trying to tie up with MNCs so that athletes get the funds they need to compete. "Participating in international tournaments requires a lot of money, and players have to participate in such tournaments to better their rankings. I provide coaching for free, but they need money for their kits and stay. The government really does not provide any financial support, and that's why we are forced to approach MNCs."
So, what's next for him? "I'm scheduled to play the Spanish Para-Badminton tournament in March. I'm going to continue playing in these tournaments to keep myself fit and get selected to represent India in the 2020 Paralympics where badminton will make its debut at the Games. As an athlete, there's nothing better than winning an Olympic medal."
IPL 2025: Three-time IPL champion set to join Gujarat Titans as batting coach - Reports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit on Oct 23, first in 5 years
New Himalayan snake species named after Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, it will be called…
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from...
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to...
Rape-accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul; Who will find a spot in 2nd Test? India coach says…
Mumbai Police interrogates Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor in case under POCSO act
Mukesh Ambani may team up with govt to sell food products through...
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...
BRICS Summit 2024: PM Modi meets President Putin, says India ready to cooperate in...
Meet man, Nepal's only billionaire, owns this instant noodles brand, his net worth is Rs…
‘Rohit Sharma changed Playing XI before toss’: Sanju Samson makes BIG revelation about T20 WC final
BJP leader's son marries Pakistani woman online, after he fails to get visa, watch viral video
Good news for Gautam Adani, his Rs 121000 crore company's net profit jumps 172% to Rs...
Empowering Neurodiversity: Strategies for Inclusive Supplier Diversity By Harshila Gujar
Big move by BSNL, launches 7 new services to woo users, challenge for Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio
India star Sarfaraz Khan blessed with a baby boy, pics go viral
Parineeti Chopra has a perfect reply to hubby Raghav Chadha's heartwarming birthday wish
'Will work with India to implement...': China on LAC patrolling agreement
Tata-BSNL partnership promises BIG relief for customers, set to provide fast internet in...
'This is pathetic, disgusting': Nia Sharma faces backlash for promoting 'vagina tightening' tablets
Big move by Gautam Adani: Ambuja Cements to acquire this cement brand for Rs 8100 crore
Why US Presidential Election is always held on first Tuesday in November?
'Perfect for him': Aamir Khan in talks to play Kishore Kumar in Anurag Basu's film; fans react
After calling Prabhas a 'joker', Arshad Warsi says 'everyone is allowed to...'
BRICS Summit Prelude: India and China move to defuse border tensions
Sakshi Malik’s BIG claim, says BJP's Babita Phogat wanted to be WFI chief, encouraged wrestlers to…
India launches its 4th nuclear-powered submarine, set to play major role in…
Uttar Pradesh: 6 killed in oxygen cylinder blast in Bulandshahr house
Why Kriti Sanon used to be called 'Tiger didi'? Actress reveals reason
'Zyada Hero Ban Raha Hai': Rohit Sharma's chat with teammate caught on stump mic, video goes viral
Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary share FIRST photo of their daughter
Delhi AQI October 22: Air quality in ‘very poor’ category, Centre imposes GRAP Stage II from today
Man who threatened Salman Khan, demanded Rs 5 crore, issues apology: 'It was...'
Karni Sena announces Rs 1,11,11,111 for any police officer who kills Lawrence Bishnoi
US Presidential Elections 2024: Republican Donald Trump sued for defamation by Central Park Five
‘Will be able to…’: EAM S Jaishankar explains India, China patrolling deal along LAC
'Even double standards are...': Jaishankar's big attack on Canada amid diplomatic row
Hyundai Motor India IPO listing today: All you need to know about largest-ever IPO in India
Diwali Gift: THIS company gave Tata, Maruti cars to its employees ahead of festival, they cost Rs…
IMD issues alerts as Cyclone Dana approaches, heavy rainfall predicted for these states
RSMSSB Rajasthan CET 12th-level exam starts today, check guidelines here
DNA TV Show: Terror threat in Delhi after Rohini blast? Police tighten security ahead of Diwali
Taylor Swift suffers wardrobe malfunction on stage during her Miami concert, video goes viral
Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead India A squad for Australia tour; Ishan Kishan in, Shreyas Iyer misses out