ANI
24 Nov 2022, 17:25 GMT+10
Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 24 (ANI): Indian Deaflympian and badminton player Jerlin Anika considers ace shuttler PV Sindhu as her idol and uses the same brand of racquet that her idol used in her Olympic medal match, for her own knockout matches.
Jerlin won three gold medals in the Deaflympics 2021 held in Brazil and she is the first Indian to win three golds at an Olympic event. She is also placed at number 1 in India within the deaf category in the sport.
"PV Sindhu is my role model. I was fortunate to meet her in Hyderabad during a practice session. I wanted the same racquet that she used in her Olympics medal match. I play all my knockout matches with it," Jerlin told ANI in an exclusive interview through an interpreter.
The Deaflympian, who will be awarded Arjuna Award by President Draupadi Murmu on November 30, is happy to be honoured with the award.
Recalling her journey, the Deaflympian said that it has been a tough one for her ever since she started playing the sport at age of eight.
"I started my practice session from 5 AM in the morning till 10 AM. Then once again at noon, I had another session at 2 PM, which ends at 8 PM. These practice sessions are highly intense and I trained like this for 2-3 years. When I went to Deaflympics, I thought that other players would be much taller and fitter and would have a natural advantage over me. But I was determined to win medals for my country and I won," she added.
The shuttler recalled that getting permission for training used to be difficult but seeing her passion and committment, she was given permission to train.
"In 2009, my school introduced me to HCL foundation, which had 'Sports for Change' initiative going on. From there on, they took me to next level. I would like to thank them," she added.
On her future goals, Jerlin said that she wants to play till she is fit and her next aim is Khel Ratna Award, the biggest sports honour in India.
"I am also trying to put my best foot forward in general category by participating in ranking competitions," she added.
Her message for specially-abled people who want to take up sports is that they should not think about their limitations.
"They are a mind block. Hard work will pay off one day, I am here as an example," she added. (ANI)Get a daily dose of South America Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South America Times.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 5 (ANI): President of Argentina Javier Milei and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a warm hug as the...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the San Martin Memorial in Buenos Aires on Saturday...
* In recent years, BRICS has transformed into a major force fostering cooperation among Global South nations. This collaboration not...
Brasilia [Brazil], July 5 (ANI): In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a state visit...
ABU DHABI, 5th July, 2025 (WAM) -- President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations...
(250705) -- PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Estevao (R) of Palmeiras celebrates with his teammate after scoring during the quarterfinals...