JOIN USFormer Swedish World Champion Peter Karlsson has been honing the skills of India’s Olympic bound paddlers -- Soumyajit Ghosh and Ankita Das -- for some time now. The fact that two 19-year-olds are going to London is a good sign for the sport in the country, said Karlsson.
Karlsson, who was the world champion in men’s doubles in 1991 and part of the Swedish team’s success at the event on four occasions, held a three-day coaching clinic at the Manav Rachna Sports Academy.
He has been working with Soumyajit for almost two years now while Ankita, too, had a brief session with him. He believes the two have enough firepower to pull off a few upsets in Olympics.
“It is fantastic that two young Indian players will compete at the London Olympics. They deserve the place and have a lot more potential,” said the Swede.
He felt the Olympic Games will give the two valuable experience.
“It is definitely not their peak. Playing at a young age in Olympics is a positive. You gain experience.”
Karlsson rated Soumyajit as a talented player “but he needs to improve on the technical and physical aspects.”
“I will tell him to be never, ever satisfied with what he has done. He should not stop working.”
Karlsson said though Sharath Kamal had not qualified, he remained an inspiration for the Indian youngsters.
“What Sharath has done is extremely good. The way he has performed over the years is great. I often tell the young Indian players that Sharath has shown what you can achieve. They need to respect and admire him for what he has done.”