His transition to the senior level has been a smooth one and Indian table tennis’ young sensation Soumyajit Ghosh now harbours an ambition of winning the next senior national championship in order to be counted among the big boys.
“I want to win the next senior national championship. I am in good shape and want to continue the way I am playing right now,” Soumyajit told PTI in an email interview.
The 19-year-old, who pipped compatriots Achanta Sharath Kamal and Anthony Amalraj in the qualifiers earlier this year to book his ticket to the London Olympics, added that he also intends to do well at the Commonwealth tournament in May next year.
“As I said earlier, I want to win the senior nationals this year and then I want to compete in the Commonwealth tournament and win some medals there as well,” he said.
Asked if life has changed after the London sojourn, the Siliguri lad replied that the Games have made him a bit more responsible.
“People recognise me. I have become a bit more famous, but at the same time people have started to expect a lot from me. So I need to work more hard.
“The pressure of expectations has increased and I need to cope with that,” Soumyajit, who is currently going through the rigors at the Peter Karlsson academy in Sweden, said.
Soumyajit won his debut Olympics match against Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi but lost in the next round to Hyok Bong Kim of North Korea to crash out of the sporting extravaganza.
However, the paddler took the defeat in his stride and returned to beat Sharath Kamal in the inter-institutional table tennis tournament last month.
“It is a big achievement to beat Sharath Kamal. He is one of the great players from India and I want to beat him again in future, but for that I would have to train even harder,” he said.
The youngster, meanwhile, informed that he was working upon his backhand play and was also trying to be more quick on his feet.
“The training is going on smoothly and I am working hard for my future events. My club coach Peter Karlsson has told me to improve upon my backhand play and also to do some work on my footwork. So I am working on all those fronts and I am also trying to improve my fitness level,” he said.
