Madhav Dhingra

  

Interview with Madhav Dhingra
a junior squash player

Madhav Dhingra is a junior player who shot into prominence at the CCI Western India Open 2009 by being awarded the most promising player of the tournament (along with Yash Bhargava from Delhi). He studies at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School. He is thirteen years old and in the 8'th grade.

Here is a write up from him about his squash, studies, interests and ambitions!

“ I took up squash at the age of eleven. It all started when I started playing with my brother and father every Sunday at Otters Club.  Later I joined the W.S.A. camp run by Mr. Amar Haksar at the Otters Club. I started taking interest in the game. He encouraged me and told me that I had it in me which led me to take up the game seriously. 

My best result so far is being runner-up in the Matunga Gymkhana in early February 2009. I also represented Maharashtra team in the interstate league.  I came third in the Otters Club ICS-Reality Cup, 2008. But my best result so far was the double semi-finals in the CCI Western India open!  I was also awarded the 'Man of the Tournament' at the same event. 

I do train hard and put in a lot of effort every day.  I play about 2-3 hours every day and an hour more on weekends.  My schedule comprises of 5 fitness sessions and 5 squash sessions through the week.  I also swim and jog at times to keep myself fit for tournaments.  I do my fitness sessions with Mr. Ahmed Yusuf from Egypt who is my mentor too and I play at Otters with Mr. Santosh More and started training with Mr. Vaman Apte.               

I balance my studies and squash very well. Even though I miss a lot of school, I don't lag behind with my school work. My teachers at school are supportive and help me catch up with my missed work.  I believe in planning to be a successful sportsman without compromising on studies.  I don't really get any time to meet my school friends outside school. 

I like listening to music and swimming. I also like to play chess and watch basketball.  

My ambition is to make a mark in under 15 junior nationals next year get a good world junior ranking  in the following years . I want to establish my name in the squash world.”

 

Pune Open Squash (6/10/2009)

Open : Naveen Jhangra bt Mahesh Mangaonkar 10-12, 11-9, 1-11, 12-10, 11-9
Boys U-19 : Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Abhinav Sinha 11-5, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8
Boys U-17 : Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Rohan Vora 11-8, 11-4, 11-4
Boys U-15 : Anuj Bahl bt Abhimanyu Shah 10-12, 12-10, 11-6,11-9
Boys U-13 : Yohan Pandole bt Aditya Khatri 11-8, 12-10, 11-8
Mixed U-11 : Aryaman Adik bt Chaitanya Shah 11-3, 11-1, 12-14, 8-11, 11-8
Women : Saumya Karki bt Shria Khatri 11-7, 11-9, 11-2
Girls U-17 : Saumya Karki bt Shria Khatri 11-2, 11-7, 12-10
Girls U-15 : Saumya Karki bt Aishwarya Nambiar 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
Girls U-13 : Aishwarya Nambiar bt Gayatri Raheja 11-3, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6 
Professionals : Sanjay Pawar bt Vijay Waghela 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
Over 35 : Mohanish Sawant bt Rohit Thawani 8-11,11-6,11-6, 11-9
Over 40 : Mohanish Sawant beat Col Ashun Bahl 11-4, 11-9, 11-9
Over 45 : Col Ashun Bahl beat Col Lalit Agnihotri 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9

                                                                                                       [ 1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  10  |  11  |  12  ]