Para-badminton player Manasi Joshi is a fighter. She talks to Nikita Sawant about the game that helped her get back on her feet, push boundaries, and live her best life
It’s sheer willpower that defines Manasi Joshi. After meeting with a gruesome road accident seven years ago, in which she lost her leg, Joshi picked herself right up and forged on. A software engineer by profession and a para-badminton wizard by passion, she resumed work, and balanced it with a busy badminton training schedule as soon as she recovered. Some of her recent wins include bronze medals in the singles category of the 2018 Para Asian Games, 2018 Thailand Para-Badminton International, 2017 Para-Badminton World Championships, and a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2015 Para-Badminton World Championships. Over to the shuttler who talks about what motivates her, the driving force behind her success, and the challenges she’s faced on her way to victory.
As a young girl, were you more inclined towards sports or academics?
I was more into academics. Of course, I was interested in sports like any other regular school kid. But it was more of a hobby than anything else.
Can you tell us about the accident that changed your life?
It was December 2, 2011. I was crossing the road while on my way to work, when a truck hit me. The rear wheel of the vehicle went over my left leg, crushing it. It was bad; I lost a lot of blood. The accident took place around 8:30 am, after which I was taken from one hospital to another because they didn’t have the resources. I was taken into surgery only at 5-5:30 in the evening, by which time gangrene had set in and my leg had to be amputated. I was in the hospital for 45 days.
How did you cope with it?
Initially, in the ICU, I was by myself. After I was moved to the general ward, I had my friends and family around me almost every minute. Talking to them made coping with a life-changing experience bearable, if not easy.
What motivated you to take up badminton after the accident?
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