Badminton bachcha

Devesh Dharmarajan, badminton champ,  is gearing up to represent Maharashtra state at the DSO championship this month

Eleven-year-old Devesh Dharmarajan loves badminton. He has been selected to represent west zone schools in forthe Districts Sports Office (DSO)championship this month. He talks to Cityplus about his preparations for the championship and future goals

Just a hobby
To keep me occupied, my parents asked me to try my hand at badminton. They believed playing sport would help me learn various aspects of life. Though they never forced me to take up badminton professionally, but I asked my father to get me a professional trainer. Irrespective of my results in these championships, my parents have always supported my love for badminton.

Lucky patch
This year has been very good for me. I am glad that my consistent performance has given me a great opportunity to represent my state at the District Sports Office (DSO) tournament. I have been in great form since July this year.
In July, I won the doubles title in the under-10 category of the state sub junior championship. At the Mumbai Suburban District championship I secured the runner-up position in the under-13 category. In the same month I also reached the final of the doubles under-13 category at the sub-junior championship in Pune.

Train harder
I train at Uday Pawar Badminton Academy. Uday sir always emphasises on balanced training. He will ensure we all get time to relax and think about our game. He will never force his decision on us, while practice session he will ask us how will play our game if we it is tie-breaker situation.
Sometimes, he will halt the game at a level and ask us, what would help us win this game. I love these mental training sessions that we have at our academy.  I train for three hours at the academy and look forward to have tough practice matches with my friends.

Practise for perfection
I follow a strict practice and fitness routine. Every day in the morning I exercise for 45 minutes. One has to bear more physical exhaustion than mental stress. I have to focus more on physical exercises to build my stamina for the game. I need to work hard to carry ahead my energy to the next level.
My mother keeps a strict check on my food intake. My daily diet comprises of a good amount of calcium and protein, which includes eggs, wholegrains, fruits, veggies.

Positive thinking
As a player confidence is everything. Injuries are part of our life but to overcome them we need to have confidence and positive thinking. Focus and positive attitude with immense will power has helped me to do noticeably well in sports.

Chinese chapter
I love watching Lin Dan games. When I am not playing badminton, I watch his matches on television. No one can return his smashes and aces, no wonder he is four-time world champion. His love for the game inspires me and even I want to bring pride to India through my game.

Trophy toppings
•    Won U-10 single title, Goregaon Sports Club, 2009
•    Manora Badminton tournament, Dec. 2009, U-10 singles
•    Won U-10 singles title at the Lt. sou Sunila Barve Jr. state Open tournament, Dec 2009
•    Won U-13 singles title at the 5th all-India Balkan Ji Bari Open tournament in Jan 2011
•    Won U-13 singles title at the Manora Badminton tournament June and July 2011
•    Won doubles title at Maharashtra Sub-Junior championship in July 2011
•    Runner-up at the Mumbai Suburban District championship in under-13 singles category,  July 2011
•    Won the under-13 singles at  Vanita Samaj State Open tournament

--Aarti Agrawal