Chetan Anand nurtures 'realistic' chances of an Olympic medal

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) Individual Olympic glory has been the aberrations and not the rule for a medal-starved India but that doesn't dampen Chetan Anand who insists that he does have a 'realistic' chance of notching up a podium finish in Beijing 2008.

One of the familiar faces of Indian badminton, the lithe Hyderabadi knows it would need a combination of factors to win a medal in Beijing and says he is ready to go through the grind.

''I'm ready with a fresh itinerary for the new year and I'll be playing lesser tournaments. My performance last year has been quite well and both my coaches -- (Mohammad) Arif sir and P Govardhan Reddy believe I have a realistic chance of finishing with a medal in Beijing Olympics. I know how difficult the task is but I'm ready to go through fire and water to achieve it,' Chetan told UNI.

''And I'm a religious person who believes if you are destined for something, nothing can deny you that. But the hard work has to be there and I'm ready to toil,'' he added.

Currently ranked 34, Chetan hopes booking a Beijing berth won't be a problem but insisted he doesn't want to end up as an also-ran there.

''I'm currently ranked 34 and my target this year is to finish within the top 15. I have planned my calendar this year in such a way that I get enough rest in between and I would be selective, playing 12-15 tournaments at the most. Last year, it was foolish of me to play in so many tournaments but I've learnt from that.

''In Beijing, the top 20 ranked players get automatic berths but no country can field more than two players. So my place is more or less secure. But still I don't want to take chance. I have to move up the ranking ladder,'' he elaborated.

Despite returning empty handed from the Doha Asian Games, Chetan believes he did not do too badly in 2006 and all he needs to do is keep improving.

''True, I didn't win in Doha but other results were not that bad.

I finished runners up in Polish Open and reached quarerfinals in Luxemburg Open, among others. Then came the Commonwealth Games Bronze. In all, it was a good year but I just want to push myself and keep improving,'' he said.

''I'm starting it all afresh and have worked for the last one-and-half months on my fitness, stamina and speed. I'm starting this year with the Malaysia leg of the (200,000 dollar) Super Series later this month before coming back for the Nationals. I would take 20-odd days off in February before playing two more Super Series, followed by the All England and German Open,'' he added.

UNI

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