Student Achiever: ‘The school’s support motivated me to give my 100%’

Recently, Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar, proudly celebrated the remarkable achievement of Ishaan Sharma, a Class VIII student who secured the Bronze Medal at the Punjab State Badminton Championship held in Nawanshahr.

Representing the Jalandhar District Under-14 Badminton Team, Ishaan impressed everyone with his sharp reflexes, steady composure, and relentless determination. His consistent performance throughout the tournament reflected hours of disciplined training and true sportsmanship.

The entire Apeejay family rejoiced in his success. Principal Mr Yashpal Sharma, Vice-principal Ms Aarti Shorey Bhat, and Head of the Physical Education Department Mr Sanjeev Gandhi praised Ishaan’s dedication, encouraging him to keep striving for excellence both on the court and in the classroom.

Talking about his achievement, Ishaan shares how he prepared for the championship, among other things.

What inspired you to take up badminton, and how did you prepare for this championship?

When I was around seven or eight years old, I watched a movie about Saina Nehwal, an international badminton player. Her journey and dedication deeply inspired me to take up badminton seriously.

How did you prepare for this championship?

It was a School State Championship. I dedicated myself completely to preparing for it over the past year. I worked very hard, both physically and mentally, to give my best performance.

Can you share your experience competing at this level? What were the challenges?

There were quite a few challenges. Usually, I practice on synthetic courts using feather shuttles, but at the championship, we had to play on wooden courts with plastic shuttles. The surface was slippery, and that made it difficult to move quickly and maintain balance. To deal with this, we used a special material in our shoes that prevented slipping, which helped a lot during the matches.

How did you feel when you realised you had won the bronze medal?

It was a very proud moment for me. I know the value of a Bronze medal at the School State level; it represents all the effort, discipline, and practice I put in. When the score was 15 for our opponent and 20 for us, we needed a point to win. When we secured the point, I knew we had it. That was the moment I realised we had won bronze, and it felt amazing.

What role did your teachers, coach, and family play in your success?

They played a very crucial role. I’m really thankful to my Principal, our Vice-principal, and my class In-charge. They all supported and encouraged me through every situation and motivated me to give my 100% in each game. My coach and my family were also constant sources of strength and inspiration.

What are your future goals in badminton?

I definitely want to continue playing badminton and aim for higher levels. The School National trials will be held in two or three weeks, and I’m preparing hard for them. My dream is to become the World No 1 in badminton someday, and I’ll keep working towards it with full dedication.