Indian badminton doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, who are preparing for the Paris Olympics, have an interesting way of coping with the ups and downs of competition: they share a meal together afterwards.Indian badminton doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, who are preparing for the Paris Olympics, have an interesting way of coping with the ups and downs of competition: they share a meal together afterwards. Crasto, 21, will make her Olympic debut in Paris, while Ponnappa, 34, will be participating in her third Games. The two players met in Hyderabad in late 2022 and decided to team up after realizing their playing styles complemented each other well. Over a shared meal, they discussed their collaboration and their goals for the Olympics. Their shared love of food has since strengthened their bond and helped them process both victories and defeats. Crasto said that Ponnappa often takes the lead in suggesting a dinner outing after a game, which helps her shake off any post-match sadness. Ponnappa, known for her calm demeanor on court, also plays a pacifying role when Crasto gets worked up. “She knows how to stay calm in crucial situations and she can adapt very quickly to a new plan or strategy,” Crasto said. “These things really helped us to get (wins) in crucial games.” Crasto admitted to being excited rather than nervous about her Olympic debut. “I know there are a lot of expectations, but I just want to go out there and be the best version of myself and put on a good show.”
NEW DELHI, July 21 — Indian women’s badminton doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa plan to experience both triumphs and disasters in equal measure at the Paris Olympics, but this time over a good meal.
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Olympics-Badminton-Win or Lose, India’s Crasto Promises a Treat in Paris
The two players were in the southern city of Hyderabad in late 2022 looking for a doubles partner and some Asian food when they decided to compete together.
Just over a year later, 21-year-old Crasto will make her Olympic debut, while for 34-year-old Ponnappa it will be her third participation in the Games, having previously competed in London and Beijing.
They are currently ranked 19th in the world.
“We ordered lunch and finished it over dinner,” a smiling Crasto told Reuters in a Zoom interview today.
“We thought it would be great to try out this collaboration because our playing styles complement each other well.
“I really needed someone who could take care of the backcourt and she needed someone who could really take advantage of the net. We just wanted to try it.”
Their shared love of food strengthened the bond between Dubai-born Crasto and former World Championship bronze medallist Ponnappa.
“We’re both big foodies. We make it a point to go out to eat after our games and try different foods,” Crasto said.
“We sit together and talk about our race – the areas we need to work on and what training programme we need for that, the good things that happened…
“The best thing is that we always come up with a solution. That really puts us in a good mood.”
A good meal is an obvious way to celebrate success, but it’s even more helpful for processing a defeat, Crasto says.
“She (Ponnappa) is the one who takes charge and says, ‘It’s okay, leave your bag and let’s go out for dinner,’” Crasto said.
“That just takes me out of the sadness I would have felt after the game.
“It’s not like she leaves me to deal with it alone.”
Crasto admitted that she was always the first to lose her cool on court, while Ponnappa played the role of pacifier.
“She knows how to stay calm in crucial situations and she can adapt very quickly to a new plan or strategy,” Crasto said.
“These things really helped us to get (wins) in crucial games, because at the end of a game it’s all about (your) mind.
“It’s about who is healthy enough to keep the shuttle inside one more time.”
Crasto said she was too excited to be nervous for her first Olympics.
“I know there are a lot of expectations, but I just want to go out there and be the best version of myself and put on a good show and the results will follow.” — Reuters
