Introduction
Indian squash has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past few decades. Once a sport with a limited following and infrastructure, squash in India has now carved out a significant niche on the global stage.
Squash in India dates back to the British colonial era when it was introduced as a recreational activity. Initially confined to clubs and military cantonments, the sport remained relatively unknown to the broader public.
Despite this, a few enthusiasts and players kept the spirit of squash alive, laying the groundwork for its future growth. One such player is Saurav Ghosal. He stands as a beacon of excellence in Indian squash, a sportsperson whose journey has inspired countless others.
Early life
Saurav was born on August 10, 1986, in Kolkata, West Bengal. His journey in squash began at a young age, thanks to his father who introduced him to the sport.
Showing remarkable talent early on, Ghosal moved to Chennai to train at the Indian Squash Academy under the guidance of Major Maniam and Cyrus Poncha. This move proved pivotal, providing him with the professional training and facilities needed to excel.
Saurav created history when he became the first Indian to win the prestigious British Junior Open Under-19 title. This victory marked the beginning of a glorious journey.
Professional Career
Saurav quickly climbed the ranks in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour. He became the first Indian male Squash player to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship in 2013.
Saurav has won several medals on the international stage at major competitions like the World Doubles Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Games, and the Asian Individual Championships.
Let’s have a look at the medals won by him-
- One silver medal in the doubles event at the World Doubles Championships in 2004.
- One bronze medal in the singles event at the Asian Games in 2006.
- One bronze medal in the team event and one bronze medal in the singles event at the Asian Games in 2010.
- One gold medal in the team event and one silver in the singles event at the Asian Games in 2014.
- One silver medal in the mixed doubles event at the World Doubles Championships in 2016.
- One bronze medal in the singles event at the South Asian Games in 2016.
- One silver medal in the mixed doubles event at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
- One bronze medal in the team event and one bronze medal in the singles event at the Asian Games in 2018.
- One gold medal in the singles event at the Asian Individual Championship in 2019.
- One gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the World Doubles Championships in 2022.
- One bronze medal in the singles event and one bronze medal in the mixed doubles event at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
- One gold medal in the team event and one silver medal in the singles event at the Asian Games in 2022.
The former world no. 10 recently announced retirement from professional Squash. He won 10 PSA titles in 21 years on the tour. Saurav had played a major role in popularizing squash in India.
His success has inspired a new generation of players and increased interest and investment in the sport. Saurav has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at developing squash at the basic levels.
He remains a symbol of hope and excellence in Indian squash, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
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