Mahesh Mangaonkar is gearing up for his second Asian Games appearance. Four years ago, the then 20-year-old was part of India's gold-medal winning men's squash team at the continental tournament in Incheon.
Cut to August 2018, Mahesh is more experienced and better equipped to deal with the pressure of representing his country at the highest level. The Mumbai-based player expects nothing less than a finish on the top step of the podium this year as well.
There is only one change to the Indian men's squash team that won the gold in Incheon. While Kush Kumar misses out, experienced Ramit Tandon, India's third-ranked player (62), joins Saurav Ghosal (12), Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (59), and Mahesh (67).
The four-member team will assemble in Chennai for an eight-day camp ahead of the continental tournament.
After impressing at Malaysia Open in July where he stunned higher-ranked Chris Simpson of England, Mahesh believes he is "happy" about his personal form ahead of the much-anticipated Asian Games, starting August 18 in Indonesia.
Mahesh insists has made a few changes to his training schedule, which he believes, will help him not just at the upcoming continental tournament but in the longer run as well.
Team India are not going to be the top seeds at the men's squash team event but the pressure of defending the title will be on the four-member unit, led by Ghosal.
Speaking to International Business Times, India from Mumbai, on the sidelines of Maharashtra State Men's Squash tournament, Mahesh talks about the upcoming challenge, his personal form and the difficulties of being a player of a non-Olympic sport.
Excerpts from the interview
IBT: How excited are you and the Indian team? Are you feeling pressure?
Mahesh: Playing for India has always been exciting. Not just at Asian Games, but representing India at any team event is a great feeling. It's something that you can't describe. I am excited, the whole team is excited. We are focused, prepared and can't wait to get the tournament.
There will be pressure, regardless of the previous edition's result. If we were No. 1 seeds, pressure would be to finish first. If we were No. 8, then the pressure would be when we face the toughest team in the tournament.
You just have to deal with it. That's what we have trained for. Years of training and experience is basically about dealing with pressure every time.
IBT: There is only one change to the team that won Asiad gold in Incheon? Does familiarity help?
Mahesh: Ramit is obviously a good player. He has been playing on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour consistently. He is the third-ranked Indian player. He has trained with some of the best in the business and has got the experience.
It's not like we're taking a newbie or rookie. He knows how to handle pressure as much as we know. I feel like he is going to play a very big part this time.
IBT: Are you happy with your personal form?
Mahesh: I am happy enough. I am playing well right now. I have worked hard. My off-season training has been going well. I have been changing a lot of things with my training schedule.
I have found new ways of training. It is going to help me last longer in the game not just right now but even as I get older because of this transition. I have done a few changes with my game as well. These are working out, I can see the results.
I am really looking forward to showcasing all that at the Asian Games.
IBT: Squash missed out on Tokyo Olympics berth narrowly. Is it easy for a non-Olympic sport and its players to thrive?
Mahesh: It is difficult for us. All the squash players around the world feel like we're underrated in terms of prize money and the way we should be treated at tournaments and everything. It can be better — something like tennis.
Squash is 10 times tougher than tennis because there is not much break time in between rallies. In tennis, you have plenty of time to recover. This is more like an anaerobic sport than an aerobic sport.
Most of the players who are at the end of their careers regret the fact they were not able to represent their country at the Olympic Games. I feel that is always going to remain with them.
One day, I really hope, it becomes the part of the Olympics. At least before I retire, they should include squash in the Games.
Asian Games 2018 can we watched on Sony Ten 2, Sony ESPN and Sony Ten 3 in India. The live stream will be available on Sony Liv.
