In a world where everything appears to be a rat’s race, especially in a competitive industry such as sports, placing importance on sportsmanship and using your platform for the greater good is a welcoming breath of fresh air. International badminton player Smit Toshniwal has overcome many odds to reach the stage she is at today and aims to use her on field capabilities to try and change the world.

In this exclusive interview, Smit Toshniwal speaks about her badminton journey, her childhood idols, importance of mental strength, memorable achievements, overcoming challenges and future goals.

Q 1) Tell us about your badminton journey, how old were you when you started, who introduced you to the sport and when did you decide to pursue it professionally?

I started as a 7 year old as my mom introduced me to the sport but mostly as a hobby. I decided to pursue it professionally at 14 when my mom and I moved to Hyderabad. She has been the backbone of my career. I moved for the love of the sport but without her staying there leaving all her family behind for 4+ years, none of this would have been a reality. The person who really inspired and motivated me was S.M Arif sir as the former Dronacharya Award and Padma Shri Awardee has been the backbone for badminton over the years.

Q2) Who were some of your badminton idols while growing up and why?

I tend to believe in being a good person before being a good athlete. For me sportsmanship comes before anything and for this reason I always looked up to Ratchanok Intanon because she tends to keep her cool on court and display immense levels of sportsmanship on the badminton court.

Q 3) Despite badminton being a physically demanding sport, how important do you think is mental toughness to achieve the desired result?

I have always believed in giving greater focus on mental toughness in order to be in form during the matches, physical fitness does matter but once you are set mentally then it helps you regain your physical health.

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Q 4) As an international badminton player, what are some of your most memorable achievements in your career so far and why?

The most memorable achievement for me was that as a kid, the U10 and U13 were years where it wasn’t complicated as it is today. It was as easy as being on the court and playing and I’m grateful to have been introduced to the sport at a young age. It was a very different and fulfilling experience which I still remember to this day.

Q 5) What are some of the obstacles and challenges you have faced in your journey so far? How did you overcome them?

Every athlete has so many obstacles and challenges especially in a country like India. Everyday is a challenge but for me specifically for so long I've tied winning to my self worth. Just getting over that phase has been a challenge and it continues to be even today. Also staying away from home for long periods away from friends and family is always a challenge. I am extremely close to my dad. Not currently, but for the longest time that I have been in Hyderabad, my mom has stayed with me. It's almost been 7-8 years, I have hardly spent time with Dad, I don't like that at all. Apart from that, if you want to compete in Europe twice a year, that does take a lot of money. Getting sponsors has been so challenging I cannot stress on that enough.

Q 6) What are your short and long term goals as a badminton player? What are you doing to achieve them?

Honestly I feel that short term and long term aims and goals are conceptualised. I never aimed to win the Odisha medal, it just happened. You can always have goals but you can never know what's in store for you and what's coming. Success can come to you in so many unexpected ways that these ideas are very conceptual. I watch a lot of Tennis and I'm a follower of Naomi Osaka. She uses her platform for activism and to try and change the world. She is known for not just her on field capabilities and I want to be something like that. You could say that is one of my goals. Take one day at a time and devote it to things that make your heart full.