Arvind calls it a day

Badminton : Shuttler says he will focus on grooming young talent

 At a time when many parents would have been sceptical about their child’s future as a sportsman, stressing on studies instead, Arvind Bhat showed how to balance both — qualifying as a mechanical engineer as well as making a name for himself in badminton.

After a moderately successful career, Bhat announced his retirement from competitive badminton on Thursday, stating he wanted to be remembered as a person who gave his heart to anything he did.

“I don’t thing I will be remembered for any spectacular badminton performances but as a guy who put his heart and soul into anything he did,” said the 36-year-old.

“Doing engineering the normal way, going to college, having a campus life, and then once I completed my studies, making badminton — an hobby sport till then — a career. I want to be remembered as a guy who did things intelligently and a person who gave his heart out to anything I did at that point of time. Be it engineering then, or badminton till now,” added the shuttler who completed his mechanical engineering course from the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering in 2002.

Admitting that age was catching up on him, Bhat said his desire to be a full-time coach was one of the primary reasons behind the decision.

“I’m 36 now and I think that’s good enough age to have played at the international level. Though I could have played for another year or two, I don’t think I couldn’t have done enough as age is catching up with me and I wouldn’t be able to give my best. Moreover I am on the panel of coaches for the senior national team and I was with the Indian contingent at the Dutch, Danish and the French championships.

“But I would say the main reason behind this decision is the White Peacock academy, which Shivaprakash and I started in 2005. Until now Shivaprakash was taking care of it completely. But now I too want to contribute in grooming youngsters,” added Bhat who has been an advisor to the Academy since 2005.

Playing the game at the highest level for close to 15 years, success was limited for the Bengaluru player. His title triumph at the German Open GP Gold in 2014 was the best Bhat could muster during his career.

“Yes, the title run at the German Open is the best (moment to cherish),” he said. “I had a really good time there. Winning the title at 35 is not easy and doing that was really satisfying. It was not an easy run. Getting the better of world number five Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Hong Kong’s Hu Yun in th early rounds gave me enough confidence to go and give my best in the final. And it paid off,” he pointed out.

Bhat was also a regular feature at the national level events, winning the Senior National title in 2008 and 2010, while finishing as the second best in four occasions. Bhat said not making it to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 was his biggest regret.

“Not making it to the Bejing Olympics (would be my biggest regret). But that’s how things work. I was the national champion, but Anup (Sridhar) was the highest ranked player in the country, so he went through,” he concluded.

Quick facts

Name: Arvind Bhat
DOB: 7 June, 1979
Turned pro: 2000
Highest ranking: 20 (Oct, 09)
Titles won:  National: Senior Nationals (2008, 2010).
International: Bangladesh Open (2002), Scottish Open (2004), Syria International (2007), Jordan International (2007), Czech International (2007), New Caledonia International (2007), German Open GP Gold (2014).