After playing in 30 tournaments over twoyears, Akanksha Salunkhe has announced herself as Goa's child prodigy in thesport of squash. The latest achievement of winning the Iran open title inTehran has also made Akanksha a rising star in the Indian squash scenario.
Akanksha has moved on from being anunder-13 player to a more competitive under-15 category. But she admits that itwill be a while before she enters open tournaments. “Currently, I am focusingon the under-15 events. It’s my first year in this group and I have thenational championship coming up as well as a couple of internationaltournaments to look forward to,” says Akanksha, when asked whether she canprove to be a special talent yet by entering national open tournaments. Akankshaplays intelligently, using strategy based on climatic conditions and byanalysing the opponent's game.
While Akanksha is rated as the best squashplayer in Goa now, she is quite happy with training alongside other squashplayers in the state. Quite confident that she is on the right track, Akankshabelieves she can measure up to the challenge of U-15 squash circuit. Akanksha'sprogress can inspire more girls to take up squash but the reality of this sportis that this exciting racquet game still remains out of reach for most Goans.
Chennai happens to be India's squash hub,due to the squash academy based there. One of Akanksha's most memorableencounters till date happens to be with a Chennai-based player in a match lastyear. “I had to use every bit of my brains to win that match. To be successfulin squash, it is said that one has to have a body like an athlete and mind ofchess player. And I am really happy that I put in everything into it to pulloff the victory,” said Akanksha.
Akanksha's approach to a tournament issimple. She says, “With a month remaining for to the tournament, I train interms of playing squash as well as physical fitness training for 15 days. Followingthat, I just play a few squash games and then rest.”
Although Akanksha is into a highlycompetitive sport, she does not feel any stress or pressure yet, and hencehanging out with friends is enough relaxation, rather than follow a meditationor yoga routine to unwind.
