On this Women's Day, PHYSIOTIMES in conversation with ace shuttlers Sikki and Ashwini discuss why they chose the sport to what it takes to be a Woman of Substance. Right from representing India proudly in World Championships to winning laurels for the nation, they totally believe in staying focused. The two eminent women openly talk about the role of their Physiotherapists in preventing as well as recovering from injuries with double vigor.

 

Sikki Reddy

 

1. How were you first introduced to Badminton?

1. My dad loves sports so every Summer he made me play different-different sports but, in the end, I chose badminton as coaches in badminton told my family that I had good talent so why don’t they send me regularly. So that’s how I was introduced to badminton.

2. How did you develop a deep liking for the sport?

I won the summer camp competition in badminton and since I love playing sports I developed deep liking for badminton.

3. Did you receive encouragement from your family when you first told them that you wish to have a career in Badminton?

In fact, my family is the ones who loves sport more than me that is why they were happy when I chose my career in badminton

4. Who were your initial mentors and guide?

My family and my coach Pullela Gopichand.

5. How did professional training start?

When Gopi sir won the whole England, he wanted to set up an academy for all the players who wanted to pursue their carrier for full time badminton so that’s how it started in the year 2003 or 2004.

6. When was the first time when you heard about Physiotherapy as an important adjunct to Sports?

 When I injured my knee (ACL TEAR) in 2010 that was when I truly understood the importance of physiotherapy and rehab strengthening and all.

7. Injuries are a part and parcel of every athlete’s career. Can you recall the major injuries that you faced in your career?

I had three surgeries in my right knee ACL, Cartilage & meniscus in the peak of my career that is when I shifted from singles to doubles.

8. How important was the role of Physiotherapy in recovering from those injuries and getting you back on field?

Very much important. When we started playing, we hardly had any Physio but now thankful we have good number of Physio in academy who can guide the kids from the early age and make them understand how important it is and for me I am playing after three surgeries is purely because of my Physio, doctors, coach, family and my hard work. It was not very easy for me I had struggled a lot to make a strong comeback with the help of my physio.

9. Please share your experiences of working with Physios as a part of your team?

It’s good to have Physio around you and even observing our everyday daily activities what we are doing in gym, on court and all because they can watch, guide us and protect from injuries. Playing is important but to play even the recovery is most important and that can be done only with the help of physio.

10. Your message to Physios who wish to make career in Sports Physiotherapy.

In these times we need more physios in our country especially for all the sports persons and other people who are facing issues with the body. If you compare to old times like grandparent’s time, they were very healthy because there was not much pollution, food habits, exercised by doing home chores etc but now a days we have lots of changes so we require physios and I agree it’s a tough course and things will be stressful but it’s much rewarding when you treat a patient and the happiness you get by seeing them in top position in their field.

We all top sports person are doing well in the country because of you Physio and I will be very thankful to you people. Always deal with profession with utmost love & care, we always love you and Owe you.

11. How do you feel being World No.24th.?

After facing so many struggles financially and physically, being here now in this position makes me very happy & grateful. All credits go to my family, coach and physio because I don’t have any sponsor until now.

 

Ashwini Ponappa

1. How were you first introduced to Badminton?

I was introduced to the sport by my parents. There was court right next door to where my dad worked and that is where I started my badminton journey.2. How did you develop a deep liking for the sport?

I loved the game, but as a kid training wasn’t mostly fun. It was in my early teens to mid-teens that I started loving everything about the game. I loved training, working and the Competitive environment of playing the sport.

3. Did you receive encouragement from your family when you first told them that you wish to have a career in Badminton?

My parents have always been supportive and encouraged me to take up the sport seriously. I did not have to announce that badminton was something I wanted to take up as a career, as thanks to the sport I am employed by ONGC, which made it possible for me to pursue it full time. I’ve been with ONGC since the age of 17, which made it easy for my parents to further encourage and support me in my quest to achieving my badminton dreams.

4. Who were your initial mentors and guide?

I’ve had the pleasure of being trained by a lot of amazing coaches over the course of my badminton career so far. Every single one of them has played a role in shaping me into the player I am today.  One of my first coaches when I started playing badminton was Late Mr. Umapathi. He was the one who worked on and taught me my basics.

5. How did professional training start?

My professional training in doubles started when I was selected as a part of the junior doubles national camp, which was followed by being selected as part of the CWG2010 probables camp. 

6. When was the first time when you heard about Physiotherapy as an important adjunct to Sports?

I first heard about physiotherapy when I had sprained my ankle at the age of 13. I remember going to a physio then to get it treated. At that time physiotherapy wasn’t like how it is today. It’s just been in the past decade that physiotherapy has grown leaps and bounds in our sport, in terms of understanding the need and importance of it in a player’s career.

7. Injuries are part and parcel of every athlete’s career. Can you recall the major injuries that you faced in your career?

I had a calf tear last December (2019). That was a major injury for me. Apart from that there was back injury that I got in 2010, which changed the way I approached my physical fitness training.

8. How important was the role of Physiotherapy in recovering from those injuries and getting you back on field?

They played a huge role. From helping me with my rehab exercises and constantly assessing the injury to also giving me positive feedback and confidence, they’ve helped a lot.

9. Please share your experiences of working with Physios as part of your team?

I love working with the physios on our team. Johnson Solomon and Anushree Menon have been helping me for the past couple of years. It’s important to have trust and a good rapport with the physios as they are the ones, we as athletes entrust our bodies with. I’m glad that I’ve got that with them.

10. Your message to Physios who wish to make career in Sports Physiotherapy.

I believe it is important to make sure to work in a way that the athlete can trust you and your judgment so that they are confident about coming to you with their injuries and they know that their bodies are in good hands.

11. How do you feel being World No.24th.?

Feels alright. Definitely believe we can do better and would love to make that happen.