Gold grip over guilt trip!

Mum-of-two Dipika Pallikal partners Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu to win mixed doubles squash gold; reveals it’s tough to be away from kids for two weeks

It’s tough being a professional sportsperson as it is. So, imagine what it takes to be a mother of young twins and still take time out to train for many hours daily. And this is not just regulation training, but training to excel at the international stage. India’s squash ace Dipika Pallikal’s story is an inspirational one.

She made a successful return to the squash court last year, following a four-year break, during which she had twins Kabir and Zian, and won a mixed doubles bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Not satisfied with that achievement, she trained harder thereafter, and the ultimate fruit of her labour is a gold medal in the mixed doubles event here on Thursday.

Also Read: Prannoy, Sat-Chi in semis; medals assured

Packed house for final

Pallikal, 32, and partner Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, 34, defeated Malaysia’s Aifa Azman, 21, and Mohd Syafiq Kamal, 27, in straight games 11-10, 11-10 for the gold medal in front of a packed squash hall here.

She later explained what goes into the making of a champion mom. “As mothers, we could be sacrificing a lot of things, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on our dreams. I think it’s important for every woman to feel empowered and to also know that it’s OK to take some time off for what you love to do. It’s OK to have kids and make a successful comeback,” she said after an adrenaline-pumping final that saw her constantly egging on Sandhu, particularly in the second game when the much younger Malaysians rallied from 3-9 down to level the affair and even reach matchball (matchpoint).

During close games like these, athletes are constantly thinking about the narrow angles and passing shots that need to be made to beat their opponents, but for Pallikal, there was an added guilt factor to deal with too. 

Happy being a role model

“The guilt has always been there. The guilt of leaving my kids alone for two weeks, but I also know that I’m doing something worthwhile and, when the kids grow up, they will realise that their mother wasn’t holidaying in Hangzhou, but was working hard to win a medal for the country and for them. I am happy that people can look up to me and know that they still have careers after having kids,” added Pallikal.  

Sandhu meanwhile, was more than happy to have a school teacher-like partner by his side. “The match was crazy. It wasn’t a great sight to see us losing that lead [in the second game]. I wasn’t doing well on the court. I felt like a kid going to school, and when this kid loses track, the teacher comes in and she’s always there in your ears. Dipika did that job very well. She put me back on track. I’m happy we could finish it off on a high note,” said Sandhu, who picked up his second gold here, having won the men’s team event previously.

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