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FITNESS FORUM -- METRO WORKOUT

Thumbs up for the shuttlecock

Photo:R. Ashok

Hard task Sweating out to stay fit

A chance encounter with Mr.Rajkumar, Treasurer of the Tiruchirapalli Badminton Association (TBA) took me to the badminton court at the association campus in Anna Nagar. And when I reached, he stumped by cajoling me into taking on some members across the net.

Not that I have never wielded a badminton raquet. It has always been for some light recreation and let me also admit I have been truly pathetic at it. But now was the question of honouring his request and somewhere my prestige too hung in balance as a workout columnist.

Thankfully and coincidentally, after a long time I had baided my hair and was also suitably dressed in a T-shirt and pants, for the match. Only the raquet I borrowed and with a much put on confidence sashayed into the court, all set to take up my formidable opponents.

I was introduced to Kalavathy Shanmugam, a diehard TBA member. Instantly she proclaimed her love for badminton: “It improves one’s hand co-ordination, mental alacrity and the speed with which one negotiates things.”

On that note, we kicked off the match.

I cannot deny the butterflies in my stomach and my wobbly legs. But I did my best to keep my chin up and aim for the shuttlecock each time it came in my line of vision. But alas, while my hands did swing the raquet with all the punch and force, I missed it so many times. Nay, almost every time.

The only option left for me was to break into squeals of laughter each time I missed the shot just to minimize my embarrassment.

But Rajkumar who was watching me from close quarters kept me going with his valuable tips. “When your opponent hits a clear to you, move back quickly to get behind it. With the shuttle now in front of you, you will have lots of good forehand shots available. You will be able to smash effectively because you can hit it downwards.”

He kept hammering these words into my mind and wow!, they indeed turned out to be useful. As the game progressed, I found myself somewhat in control. The shots I missed became few and with raised levels of confidence, now I started to enjoy the game.

But then two games were enough to drain me out. And no points for guessing that my opponent won in straight sets. Yet everybody cheered me. Honestly, I couldn’t fathom whether I should feel happy or sad nor am I sure whether this performance of mine in an impromptu match ever get me hooked on to this game.

Quenching my thirst I returned, sure about one thing though. All the perspiring running around on the court, if done regularly, will surely help me to keep fit.

For further information, contact: Mrs. Kalavathy Shanmugam 98424-22422.

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