Elated with her highest ever world ranking of 24, reigning national squash champion Joshna Chinappa wants to end the year with an improved show at the Hong Kong Squash Open.
The 27-year-old who was recently conferred with the Arjuna Award has taken giant strides after her comeback from a career threatening knee injury last year which saw her rapidly dropping in rankings to 72.
“The injury cost me a lot of time and brought down my rankings. But, since it has been great journey. I’m happy to achieve my best career ranking of 24 and I want to improve it further,” said Joshna, who will be the top draw among the women in the third edition of NSCI men, women and double squash championship that starts here on Wednesday.
“To get the Arjuna Award was nice. But when I went to Delhi to actually receive it was like another level,” she said. Joshna has been training in Mumbai from the last fortnight under former India men’s no. 1 Ritwik Bhattacharya and physical trainer Ahmed Yusuf. The duo helped her get in better shape during rehab as well.
“I have been in Mumbai for the past two weeks to train with Ritwik and do physical training with Ahmed Yusuf. I am enjoying my game.
“This tournament coincided with my stay here so I decided it to play here to be well prepared for next month’s Hong Kong Open,” said Joshna, who is the top ranked Indian woman player after Dipika Pallikal (12) who trains in Australia.
Disappointed with squash missing out again from the Olympics, Joshna wants players to look ahead.
“It is very disappointing. Squash wasn’t a less deserving sport for the Olympics. But we enjoy it and will keep pushing for it.
“I am looking forward to winning medals for India in the Commonwealth and the Asian Games,” said Joshna who along with other top players had actively campaigned to make squash an Olympic sport but lost out to wrestling at the last stage.
Some top Indian players including Saurav Ghoshal, Ravi Dixit, Deepak Mishra besides Joshna will be in action.
source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Sports> Tennis / by Irfan Haji, Age Correspondent, Mumbai / November 27th, 2013
