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Upgrade with Madhurika Patkar with her secrets to a perfect game.
82 Plays4 years ago
As an 8-9 year old did you know what you wanted to make your career in?! No one knows right… but our guest this week is truly remarkable.
Deciding to be a pro TT player in her 4th Standard, by the time she reached her 10th she was representing India. Won a Gold for the country in 2018 Common Wealth Games & then an Arjuna Award in 2020!
Tune in for a candid conversation with Madhurika Patkar where she talks about her journey thus far, winning the Arjuna award, the importance of mental training, how she is using technology to prepare for the Olympics during Covid distancing & much more.
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Upgrade with Naakon'
00:00:00
Speaker
Hello guys, welcome to upgrade with Naakon. The point of the show is, we meet interesting people, they give us their productivity hacks, the technologies they use.
Introducing Madhurika Patkar
00:00:28
Speaker
Hi guys, welcome to a very interesting episode of Upgrade with Naqul and I have got a super special person with me Madhurika Patkar. She is Commonwealth gold winner in table tennis, one of the leading players of India and I'm just so happy to have her with me and welcome Madhurika.
The Aspiration and Achievement of the Arjuna Award
00:00:51
Speaker
Thank you so much. Thank you so much for inviting me. I was super excited to talk to you and especially I am so impressed by all your credentials and you just this year won the Arjuna awards. How are you feeling after winning the Arjuna award?
00:01:10
Speaker
oh I'm feeling like I'm feeling so proud I'm feeling so happy I mean there are no words actually you know because I have been playing for a very long time and I have seen many my colleagues win this award and every time you know I see this function I always felt like next year I should get the award and I worked really hard to get here so it's really nice
00:01:36
Speaker
How does it work? This time my name is in contention and the chances are high. How does the whole Arjuna Award system work?
00:01:52
Speaker
See, first is the Federation recommends a name. So, usually there are three names recommended through the Federation and also the government of India has given this. One more opportunity that your company can recommend or another Arjuna awardee can recommend your name. So, there is no Fajki, you know, favourite for the recommendation part.
00:02:22
Speaker
So if your name is not recommended by your federation, you can always recommend it through some other way, like your company, your state, or some other awardee. So my name was recommended by the Tibetanist Federation of India. And this was the third time my name was recommended, because first time it was in the year 2017, then it was last year in 2019, and this year was the third time.
00:02:51
Speaker
so basically they have got this point system like if you win a medal in the commonwealth games you have so many points then you have different different points for medals and the tournament or the level of tournament which you play so it is more of you know clear cut you know you have a upper hand okay
00:03:16
Speaker
So to qualify to the final you have this point system and then the jury sets and then there is a selection committee for then and of course the selection committee also has their views and and they give points based on the discipline or what you are doing for the game
00:03:38
Speaker
and there are many other points also like team spirit or the leadership discipline and everything so that all points also counted so based on that then the committee decides at which player gets the award
00:03:53
Speaker
How did you get the news? How did you feel when you got the news? Well, I was really happy and then the first news was my coach told me that I have got the Arjuna Award and for a moment we were speechless and there were tears in our eyes and then I called my parents and we all were just happy. It was just great.
00:04:23
Speaker
I have been awarded. So, it was really great. But the thing was that messages are not declared. So, it was not actually declared. People list proper paper. The government of India declared it.
00:04:48
Speaker
I think after a few days the government declared and it was like yeah officially now I am an Arjuna awardee.
00:04:58
Speaker
Then they published. Like in Isbar to Covid, this time there's no ceremony or anything, right? Yes, there was a virtual ceremony on National Sports Day which was on 29th of August. So there was a virtual, so even this was very new because due to this Covid-19, this function was held virtually. So for example, I live in Bombay. So one center was in Mantralar.
00:05:25
Speaker
So people living in Delhi, the one central center was, I think, some other Bhavan. So they all went there. And through that, through NIC, the ceremony was held. But there are still hopes that there can be a function in Delhi because we have still not received our trophy. So we all are keeping our fingers crossed because that is an honor, you know, going to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and
00:05:55
Speaker
receiving the award in the hands of the President. So, we all are keeping our fingers crossed.
00:06:12
Speaker
You know adrenaline you will go through during that the thing is you know, it's it's the Effort of so many people for so many years. I've been playing TD for a very long time, you know for a very long time So it's not easy to get there. So tell me
Madhurika's Journey in Table Tennis
00:06:30
Speaker
about your journey. How did you get into? TT only love you could have got into any force. What made you get into TT? What was your journey?
00:06:39
Speaker
Well, I started at a very young age and it just started as a hobby or just as a pastime, you know, to pass my time. Like when I was young, I started when I was seven years old and I used to do many things at that time.
00:06:54
Speaker
And then, and I am of such a personality that whatever I do, I give my 100%. So all my teachers, like all the other sports or activities which I was doing, all my teachers were like, she's the best, like they used to tell my parents that, like,
00:07:12
Speaker
She'll do really well in Olympics. The swimming teacher, he was very keen that he'd go up. Swimming, I'd go up. I was like that from the very beginning.
00:07:34
Speaker
So my coach said that you have to focus on one thing and give 100% in that rather than, you know, diverting your energy and your mind and everything in different, different things. It's better you focus on one thing and work on it. I was just connected to table tennis, you know, the feel of the racket or the ball or the rhythm.
00:07:57
Speaker
And everything was just connected to the game. And this is how I took table tennis as, you know, as a sport where I have to make a career. Then when I actually decided that, yes, I have to make a career in table tennis, then the actual journey started because that time then I put in more of hard work, put in more of as
00:08:34
Speaker
Yes, actually, I was very good in studies as well. My coach and even my parents, they were like, if you're playing, you should neglect studies. They were like, if you want to if you want to play, you have to study as well. And in sports or whatever I do, I give my hundred percent versus so I was like really good in studies also.
00:08:46
Speaker
No, but when did you decide? I want to get into IIT.
00:09:00
Speaker
But the thing is my decisions and my life was always around table tennis. So whatever decisions I took was, they were regarding table tennis.
00:09:13
Speaker
Nita, at one point did you decide, love, which class you were in? When I was in fourth standard, I decided, when I was in 10th standard, that time I really made a decision that there is nothing except table tennis in my life. Like, this is going to be my career because that actually a decision, that was because of my parents and my coach.
00:09:52
Speaker
And my club mates, like my academy, my Jojo players, they were also scholars and they had come into meritless. I being a very competitive kid, I wanted to come into the meritless. So many tutorials or classes joined. And
00:10:10
Speaker
And that you're just, you know, in India, first time in India, we represent Kia than I had won a medal in that. So, and then I am saying that because I want to come into merit because other people have come into merit. And this is what the society, you know, wants. That was my thinking. But then my coach and my parents, they made me realize that not everybody gets a chance to represent India.
00:10:39
Speaker
And you are at that level, you are India number one. And why are you thinking like that? I mean, at that time when sport was not, you know, there wasn't, sport was not given that value. That time my parents were like, you give importance to your sport. We are there to support you. Like, it was Ulta. I didn't have parents. I was like 10 years old. I had board exams. Like, pack your racket and keep stuff and start studying. It was Ulta.
00:11:11
Speaker
So I wanted to do law. And my dad said, so you can imagine what kind of parents there are. And yeah, I love amazing that your parents are supporting you on this. And again,
00:11:37
Speaker
go back to myself because those were the odd things at that time and that time every year. How do you bring that much focus in yourself so early in your school? Well I think I chose table tennis when I was like so young because I just loved this game.
00:12:03
Speaker
My coach told me that I have to choose one activity or I have to choose one activity. So there was no thought process when I was in 4th standard.
00:12:16
Speaker
after 10th what happened? That must be in the year 2000 and ever since then I have been representing India every year in different different categories. So that's a magical period when you are representing your country and that too you know when you started playing national tournaments you see your seniors or you see other players you know wearing the Indian jersey and you know flaunting it
00:12:44
Speaker
and the way they walk and the way they talk or the way they play on the court and it was very amazing for me to see you know and then when you get a chance to represent your country it's huge and it's great really
00:13:01
Speaker
and I think that the journey has been wonderful because wonderful in the sense that you start enjoying more you know I mean at least for me at least for me every day of my game I enjoy table tennis more and more
00:13:23
Speaker
And it's really great, you know, when you represent India, you have to represent the world, you have to represent the sport, you have to represent the sport, you have to represent the sport, you have to represent the world, you have to represent the world, you have to represent the world, you have to represent the world, you have to represent the world. Not all the situations are, you know, in your favor or under your control, but how you deal with them, or how you strategize, it's very important. For example, I play table tennis.
00:14:06
Speaker
There is no timing, there is nothing.
00:14:10
Speaker
No, but as a sports person, it's your duty to practice. That is where the mental training plays a part. I have been taking mental training since a very young age.
00:14:34
Speaker
If you have a mental training, then you can use the techniques and apply them when things are not going your way. So what is mental training? It's a vast topic. There is an example of a player who is not a jamboree. Many times people say that he is not a jamboree because he has focused on it. He is not a jamboree, he is not a jamboree.
00:14:56
Speaker
But I don't consider that. I focus only on the negative thing. But when I start focusing on the positive thing or the good stroke, which I am playing, then suddenly you just shift the perspective. You get the rhythm.
00:15:27
Speaker
So the thing is like you know sticking around when the things are not going your way. If you can convert it into a positive thing or a good thing or a learning aspect
00:15:38
Speaker
How do you overcome that and say, I can overcome.
00:16:04
Speaker
Yes, when the situation is like this, don't play till the last point. You know, don't give up till the last point. Keep playing till the last point. There can be a moment where opponent can be, you know, they have been in situations where I'm down, I'm like trailing.
00:16:30
Speaker
I say there have been situations that I am like down 0-3 and the opponent has to win just one set. 0-3 say I am not giving up. In fact, 0-3 or 2-6 I am down. And the opponent has 11 points to win the set. And I say 4 games to win the set.
00:16:52
Speaker
I think it will win the match. I think it will be a 0-3 down 3 game score or point wise it will be a 2-6 down 3. I think the situation will be a 0-3 down 3 and opponent will be a match point. I think it will be a match point. I think it will be a match point.
00:17:16
Speaker
Like there have been situations where I could convert this matches because I was mentally strong saying that I have to keep fighting to the last point. That is when I have to capitalize.
00:17:39
Speaker
that situation. So there are different different techniques, there are different different ways. This is all like self talk. It's all in your mind. A table tennis is a game that is fast. How we are thinking, how we are reacting, plays a very major role. And many times the opponent also plays mind games on you. So you need to be very careful also about that. So this is where mental training plays.
00:18:07
Speaker
There was no importance, you know, which actually is very important.
00:18:37
Speaker
You've been training since 2000, professionally. How has table tennis training and preparing for your games changed from how you did it in 2000 and now you do it in 2020?
00:18:50
Speaker
Is training different? How do you use technology to evolve yourself?
Impact of Technology on Training
00:18:55
Speaker
Well, technology has played a major role, you know, because if you are a man, if you have a match recording, you have to match it. If you are a man, you have to go to Panasonic, you have to go there.
00:19:09
Speaker
video camera recording the match
00:19:28
Speaker
Because many times, I have played a particular opponent in maybe October. I have played a match in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament. I have played a particular opponent in the next tournament.
00:19:49
Speaker
Or maybe directly after the match, if I sit down and write the points, I will think that the opponent has a good strategy. But when you have a recorder or a recorded match, you can see exactly who is in the match.
00:20:15
Speaker
I think it's a technique to focus on the focus. In short, I think it's a technique to focus on the camera. I think it's a technique to focus on the camera. I think it's a placement technique to focus on the camera. I think it's a slow motion technique to focus on the camera. I think it's a strategy to focus on the camera. I think it's a strategy to focus on the camera. It's a strategy to focus on the camera.
00:20:41
Speaker
So this thing is very important, it's very crucial to match the recording. I think this match is very important. And also I feel that I am a fitness tracker, I am a tracker of apps.
00:20:59
Speaker
Everything is handy in your phone, sleep tracker, diet tracker, fitness tracker, everything. All that is very handy. I think that has also made a major rule.
00:21:14
Speaker
And I think that's why it's so important. I think it's also important that the international tournaments are being held up. I think that's why the international club is so important. I think that's why I think that's why I think that's why I think it's important.
00:21:33
Speaker
After a few years, the internet has become so easy. Connecting to your parents whenever you are abroad.
00:21:52
Speaker
I need to talk to them. I need to talk to my coach. I can take tips or I can be motivated by those talks.
00:22:18
Speaker
But you are a pro level athlete. Is there a specific app or is there a way to use it for cycling? My wife, do you use Apple Watch? Do you use Apple Watch? Do you use Apple Watch? Do you use Apple Watch for cycling? But Apple Watch is one of the key features of Apple Watch. I think Apple Watch is one of the key features of Apple Watch.
00:22:45
Speaker
It becomes like a kada kind of thing and the other thing is more accessory type. As a pro athlete, what do you follow? Is there a specific app you use for all your recording which is better than what common people like us do? No, I use the Apple watches, me, everything.
00:23:06
Speaker
It's better for me. I really want to understand how do you get from a local level to a national level?
Sports Progression and Opportunities in India
00:23:21
Speaker
How does the sport structure in India work? How do you win at zone level, state level? How does that work? Structure care?
00:23:30
Speaker
Well, the zone level and state level, I think the zone level is very high in inter-school, inter-college, in the university level. But I think the open is very high in tournaments.
00:23:44
Speaker
So, there is a table tennis federation, which is very important. There is a state association, which is a district ranking tournament. And then, there are a few state ranking tournaments also. And there are 5-6 tournaments, and one state championship. And then, there is a ranking team, which is a team ranking, which is a player, which is a ranking team.
00:24:13
Speaker
So, there are
00:24:18
Speaker
five national ranking tournaments in India, and one national championship. And it's senior skill is so thick, inter institutional tournament, inter institution and a Jojo companies may have to conquer those companies get to participate in a team that's up here. So a B national ranking, I'm gonna say here, you have a state code for two, five players are gonna allow care here, play currently, and then up your ranking is up, say, then
00:24:49
Speaker
They can even participate, but they have to pay more of the entry fee. Because this is the structure of the play structure. You cannot manage it in 5-6 days. How do players sponsor themselves?
00:25:14
Speaker
For example, there would be people who support them, but there would be also other people who support them. So, there are different cities who travel. Do you get sponsors early on? Usually, there are players. Usually, there are top players who have a scholarship program. There are people who have a scholarship program.
00:25:44
Speaker
Scholarship is coming.
00:25:56
Speaker
And then when you grow up to seniors, youth category, then after scholarship or for jobs. So there are very different, different companies who offer sponsorship. I cannot say kids, but the junior players.
00:26:26
Speaker
But the juniors plus, they get monthly scholarship from the government. And also there are different institutions who are privately giving sponsorships to the kids. But because of Kello India, the government has taken a major role in sponsoring, like in vast NFO.
00:26:50
Speaker
Majorly, those who are performing well in a budget category, they are sponsored. But to get to that level, I think it is your own culture. And sponsor concur with type of company sponsor. These are PSUs like, I know you work for ONGC.
00:27:08
Speaker
yes in table tennis the petroleum companies are more then there are banks then there are uh uh audit income tax and then or air india here private government departments love government psu's only there are no private sponsors no no no but uh jase koi koi plus a joe ogq sponsored here ogq care
00:27:36
Speaker
Okay, what is that?
00:27:41
Speaker
So, Olympic Gold Quest is a foundation. So, Olympic Probables are working on the junior players. So, they can train abroad or they can train here, but they'll get all the facilities, everything.
00:28:08
Speaker
Because to just make a player, you don't need to put in lots and lots of table practice. Like I said, sports psychologists are important and dietitian is important. Physiotherapist, physical trainer, they are very important. I think it's very important to be able to be able to play at a level like this.
00:28:34
Speaker
But I have been very lucky. I have been very lucky. So my daddy, we are going to support you. We are going to support you. And also, when I was a CFCA sponsorship author, then later on in the year 2004, I went to my scholarship. And then in 2006, I was an employee.
00:29:02
Speaker
financial aspect most of it was taken care of. I know for example China is very good in table tennis.
00:29:16
Speaker
What is the reason they are able to produce better quality players historically? I have been to China many times for training.
00:29:39
Speaker
I am not saying of a particular training centre, particular city but they have got
00:29:55
Speaker
3 halls, minimum 3 halls which can accommodate around 60 tables comfortably. 60 tables comfortably as a 3 to 4 halls.
00:30:08
Speaker
Just imagine the sub level players right from the beginners to the top level players. The top level players have a lot of training, but players from all the categories they train there.
00:30:32
Speaker
They go on your team.
00:30:45
Speaker
The whole team works together. They are helping each other and then a few players really go and play at a higher level. It's that fun.
00:31:03
Speaker
table tenants, infrastructure, we will also achieve that. It's totally dependent upon the infrastructure only. We are such a huge population. We are such a huge population. We are such a huge population.
00:31:30
Speaker
Yes, that is when we have that shift in our culture. So, and I come to a very important point. My only dream for her is to become a sports woman. I think if she becomes a sports
00:31:55
Speaker
woman, then my love, my life goal is achieved. I respect her on sports person. But love, for example, right now, she has no interest in sports. I take her football, I take her skating. What is your dream? What is your dream? What is your dad's dream?
00:32:25
Speaker
But there is, how do you encourage kids into sports?
Encouraging Sports Among Children
00:32:32
Speaker
I am asking for a larger population of India. She would rather play with dolls right now, which I understand. But how do I
00:32:51
Speaker
We have introduced her to sports in a healthy way that she likes it. I think you need to actually introduce her to different, different sports. Different, different sports. I mean, maybe if you like just example, you know, let her, you know, join an academy and let her play.
00:33:13
Speaker
Maybe a month or so, is she liking that sport or not? If she's not liking, then you can switch to another sport, maybe a football or a badminton. But you need to introduce her. So in my case, I was introduced to table tennis.
00:33:31
Speaker
So I like playing that game. Maybe if I would have, you know, I was introduced to badminton and if I liked it, then well, I'm good. If not, then again, maybe I could have tried another sport or something like that, just to give you an example. But the thing is that the kids should be introduced to sports. And the best part is through schools, you know, school, you know, it's a free period, you know, there's a lot of kids, you know, there's badminton.
00:34:03
Speaker
Atleast I feel that school is where the kids should be introduced first and also after the school. You should be like... You should be like... You should be like... You should be like... You should be like...
00:34:35
Speaker
You don't even want to send them to Pak.
00:34:38
Speaker
see dude now covid situation it's a different thing all together but maybe you can give him a positive way you know show her show her the sport you know youtube internet you can show her different different you know sports try football try badminton try tennis like other ball like if she's like really glued to you know something some sport then you can see is the actual interest she's liking that thing
00:35:05
Speaker
Talking about COVID, you are a professional athlete and there was a lockdown. How did you manage that time? How did you keep on your training?
Adaptation During Lockdown
00:35:16
Speaker
Do you have a table tennis table in your house? No, no, no, no, no.
00:35:24
Speaker
At first, I was like really happy because last two years I was continuously travelling either for tournaments or for camps. And you were preparing for 2020, right? Olympics. Yes, yes. I was very lucky. I was 15 years old.
00:35:43
Speaker
I was very lucky. Actually, I came 15th. I just, you know, few days. And I think your technology made a really, you know, a wonderful role.
00:36:07
Speaker
I am a trainer. I am a physical trainer. I do video calling exercises. She used to be there and I used to train in front of her. So, I do exercises in front of her. Because exercise is of course very important. What you are doing is very important. You have to be able to do it.
00:36:32
Speaker
And for me, she cannot just give generalized exercises. She cannot give that because every day I'm improving on it. Every day I need something new or something which will be helpful for my game, I say. So I used to do training in front of her. I used to do shadow practices with her. And then for the most important thing was match analysis.
00:37:17
Speaker
So I can always see the matches on YouTube or IT.
00:37:27
Speaker
So I can see that and you know, I can see in a match analysis. So I did a lot of that. So these were the things I ideally, you know, made use of our technology. So I would have really gone crazy. But I think people would have gone crazy.
00:37:55
Speaker
How do you continue doing it? See, I know that I cannot play table tennis. I cannot play any other sport. Physical fitness is very important. If I am physically fit on my fitness level, I can come into my form within days.
00:38:24
Speaker
Then I have to work first on getting my fitness level and then I have to think about the improvement in my game. So I knew that physical fitness is important. And of course, it is all choices. But then I thought, is it really helping me?
00:38:49
Speaker
Is that going to lead anywhere? I did few courses also. Even that was because of internet PA possible. For example, you've gone to a tournament. So the night before, do you spend 2-3 hours just going through videos of your opponents, making a strategy? Yes, yes.
00:39:19
Speaker
So it is like a pre-match ritual also for me. So before going to bed or like before, like I got a match for that, then I see my opponent's matches. And then, you know, I'll make strategy.
00:39:39
Speaker
I have to plan B, I have to use all these strategies while playing essay. So, this is my game preparation. I'm just talking hypothetically. This is a low seed player, a yarn seeded player. It doesn't matter. No, at least I don't think about it like this. If the first is low seeded players, then I'll be able to freely play it. But that's not true.
00:40:25
Speaker
I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or I can't take any player lightly or
00:40:39
Speaker
you shouldn't take any opponent lightly that is my one funder and second is even if you know the opponent is very you know easy but when I'm recording I can you know get motivation or get confidence from the strokes which I am playing which many a times you're not you're down mentally you're down your confidence then you can always go on these matches and you can you can see these matches and get confidence
00:41:06
Speaker
Also, if you are building a momentum build, you are building a momentum for the second round and the third round. Likewise, you are building the momentum, but if you are thinking about thinking, which is not very helpful in the tournament.
00:41:29
Speaker
OK, Madryka, thanks a lot for talking to me. Best of luck for both Olympics and Commonwealth. We have already won a gold medal in Commonwealth. I'm hoping you'll win another one. Yes, and many more. And many more. And continue winning.
00:41:48
Speaker
and inspire a lot of kids in India to take up table tennis as a serious sport. Yes, that is the main thing now that you're doing something. Now, like when I am, you know, Abhi Itnes, I'm like Hillary, then now it is my duty because I am kind of an ambassador for my game. So many, you know, kids look up to me and they get inspired and influenced. And this is my duty to always, you know, work harder and perform better and better.
00:42:17
Speaker
So giving back to the game is my motto now. So guys, upgrade your truck. You will be listening to Update with Knuckles, a production of the 14-ton theme. Don't forget to like and subscribe.