When it comes to Carrom, Indians are known champions. In fact, Hyderabad alone has produced several champs and one such gem is S. Apoorwa, who has made India proud by winning three gold medals at the 7th World Carrom Championship held at Birmingham, UK recently.
At 10, Apoorwa got interested in the game while watching her father play with his friends. It didn’t take too long for her father to notice her keen interest, and he enrolled her into a carroms association. Since then, there was no looking back. Her game steadily improved, leading her to win many local and international tournaments like the International Carroms Federation Cup and SAARC Championship, among others.
Apoorwa had also represented India in the same tournament in 2004, and is back after a gap of 12 years, to clinch some more medals.
“I also got a job through the sports quota, so carroms means more to me than just a sport,” says Apoorwa.
This time, the Srilankan players gave the Indian contingent a very tough fight. “It was harder than I expected, because from the last time that I attended this competition, there is a huge difference. All the players have gotten better. The most challenging part about it was that we had to use a powder that was very different than the boring powder that we generally use. Here, we had to use potato starch — the coins simply glide over this powder and we have to use extremely little force. We were given the powder a month in advance to practice with it, but initially, it was very hard and I was so discouraged. I thought I would lose because of this. But, my father, who is one of my coaches, helped me a lot and I managed to win!"
She thanks the company that she is employed at for having given her a whole month off to prepare for the tournament, and dedicates this win to her mentors — Ramana and Madanraj of the Hyderabad Carrom Association.
“Just before the final game began, my coach said, ‘You have only these 30 minutes to prove months of hard work that you put in. So, do your best’. This motivated me so much, that I was pumped!” she says and adds, “The experience in the UK was great, but I couldn’t see many places as I had to return immediately. Since I am a vegetarian, the food was slightly difficult, but the organisers did their best to provide a healthy meal for everyone,” says Apoorwa.
Being great at a sport takes more than just skill. It takes years of persistence and a balanced mind. To achieve this, she swears by meditation and yoga. “Since it is a game of nerves and placement, it is important to stay calm. I may not do it regularly, but meditation definitely helps me. Another very helpful factor is a supportive family that I have. My husband is also a badminton player, so he understands, and my parents have always been proud of me,” she says.
