HANGZHOU: A tear almost rolled down his cheek. Dabbing the corner of his eye, Saurav Ghosal gathered himself. Something that he wanted so badly across two decades and six Asian Games editions had once again eluded him.
The 37-year-old, face of Indian men’s squash for a long time, has perhaps put in the hardest yards for an individual Asian Games gold medal since his debut in the continental showpiece in 2002.On Thursday, in what are likely to be his last appearance at the Games, that goal still remained a dream.
At Incheon nine years ago, Saurav Ghosal won the first two games in the final against Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Muzayen, before losing the next three to finish with an agonising silver medal. On Thursday in Hangzhou, Saurav once again couldn’t thwart his opponent’s comeback bid.
Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow lost the first game 9-11, but won the next three 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 to leave Saurav with tears in his eyes.
“I can be proud if this is my last one but I can walk into the sunset with my head held high after the effort I had put in,” said the veteran, who is still full of youthful stimulus and exuberance, besides the teenage looks and fitness which can match that of any young athlete.
Leave a Reply