Krishna Nagar dedicates #Gold at the Paralympics to Covid warriors
Krishna Nagar is on cloud nine after winning the badminton gold in the men’s singles SH6 class event, in the Tokyo Paralympics. “I dedicate this medal to my father, mother, my chacha and chachi, and all the corona warriors jinhone 2020 mein itna sab kuch kara,” says the 22-yearold, who is the first gold medallist in the event which was introduced in the Paralympics this year.
The new event, he believes, was a chance to prove himself. “Yeh hamare liye opportunity thi ki we can prove ourselves. Pressure nahin tha mere liye. Meri puri family bahut khush hogi,” he says. But Nagar reveals he was a bit apprehensive at one point in the match. “I was lagging behind in the first set. Uske baad confident tha. Second set main thoda ghabra gaya tha. Third set phir maine chora nahin,” he shares.
In fact, the sportsperson from Jaipur feels badminton changed his life forever. “Maine badminton khelna seekha shauk ke liye, lekin 2017 mein professionally join kiya. Mere life ka turning point badminton se aaya,” he says.
Overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages pouring in from all quarters, including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, actor Taapsee Pannu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nagar reveals he had gone off social media a few days before the event. “Maine paanch din se account chhor diya tha. Paralympic players ko itna support mil raha hai, it’s a good thing. Para sports ko agar aur zyada support milega toh aage aane wale players ke liye bahut achi baat hogi,” he says.
All set to return with the medal, he adds, “First I’ll go home and spend some time with my parents. Doston ke saath ghoomoonga, khaoonga piyoonga. Junk bhi kha loonga,” he laughs, adding, “Jo milega woh khayenge.”
Paralympic players ko itna support mil raha hai, it’s good. KRISHNA NAGAR, Para-badminton player