Shuttler Manasi Joshi Gears Up For Her First Para Asian Games

In December 2011, at the age of 29, shuttler Manasi Joshi met with an accident and lost her leg. But that didn’t shatter her confidence or stop her from following her dreams. She defied all odds and with one artificial leg, she turned into a para-badminton player. She has already won several medals and today she is a national and international level para-badminton player.

The Mumbai-born and Gujarat-based software engineer Manasi now aims for glory at the forthcoming Para Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October.

Currently, she is getting training at the P. Gopichand Badminton Academy for the past one month. Chief national Badminton coach P. Gopichand is chipping in with useful tips at his academy and honing her skills for the Para Asian games.

Also: I couldn’t walk so I decided to play badminton: Manasi Joshi, Para-badminton player

Manasi has taken a four-month break from her job so that she can prepare herself and compete for the Asiad medal. She said, “I am enjoying my training in what is obviously the best center.”

"I have been playing badminton since childhood. So, I picked up the sport again after the disability," she said.

“I was never a serious or a professional badminton player, but always played the sport since my school days as my parents believe that sport builds an individual’s character better. Sports taught me so many things in life,” Manasi explained.

She credits Gopi and players like PV Sindhu as people who always boost her confidence. “It is very nice on part of Gopi and other players like Sindhu to keep my morale high. I am so pleased with the way they keep track of my training and progress,” said Manasi at the Thailand Para championship recently.

Ever since Manasi started competing at International level, she has never returned without a medal. She won silver in mixed doubles in the 2015 World championship, bronze in 2016 women’s singles, bronze in 2017 World championship and gold at a Spanish international event

Chief national coach P Gopichand said Joshi is an inspiration for us all. "In Para-Badminton, there is a lot of scope to win medals. Manasi is a hard working person. It is great to see her fight. She is an inspiration to a lot of able-bodied people. I hope she continues to do well."

Picture Credit: Ketto

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