At career's tail end, Joshna Chinappa has eyes set on Asian Games

Bengaluru: For over two decades, Joshna Chinappa has been the face of Indian sqaush. The 39-year-old, who turned pro in 2003, along with her peers Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal Karthik have carried the responsibility of keeping the sport relavent in the country through their performances inside a glass cage all around the world. 

At the twilight of an eventful career, Joshna, while speaking to select reporters during promotional event by Asics here, said that she was still as committed as she has been since a kid with her eyes firmly set on the Asian Games in September. Except that the approach and perspective of being a professional athlete at the international circuit have seen a shift over the years.

"I'm not part of the race in terms of numbers," said Joshna, who has dropped to No. 72 in the world ranking but is still the second-best Indian behind 18-year-old Anahat Singh who is ranked 20.  

"Being at this stage of my career, I kind of pick and choose my tournaments. The gruelling schedule is a lot on my body as well. So I make sure that I really prepare before every event. Of course, the Asian Games is at the back of my mind. I'm trying to make sure that I choose my tournaments wisely so that I can have my body fully fit and healthy to play comfortably at the Games," explained Joshna, who lost in the quarterfinal of the recently-concluded Indian Open in Mumbai.   

Speaking about sqaush making its Olympic debut at the Los Angles Games in 2028, the Chennai-born, with roots in Kodagu, termed the inclusion as a massive step forward for the overall growth of the sport. 

"I mean, it's massive, right? All of us were doing quite okay at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and on the Pro Tour. But there was still something that was lacking in terms of support and recognition just because we were not an Olympic sport. And now that sqaush is there, I see such a difference in terms of financial support with a lot of corporates coming in and awareness of the game. There's so much funding from both the state and central governments as well. And that's really benefiting our players now. So what I probably got at a much later stage of my career is what players are getting at 15, 16 years old now," offered the Arjuna Awardee. 

And the most well-known among India's younger lot making waves is Anahat for whom Joshna not only has high praise but also feels is a medal hope at the LA Olympics. 

"Anahat's results speak for themselves. It's not easy to win pro tournaments. And she's been doing that at the highest level. So I honestly see her as a medal prospect in 2028. Also, I think she's got a right head on her shoulders. And I expect a lot from her and from the rest of the boys as well. The boys are doing really well too."