BeyondBooks: ‘Hard work behind the scenes is what wins you gold’

This Class VII student at Apeejay School, Kharghar, discovered her love for taekwondo at an early age. Inspired by her elder sister, an accomplished martial artist, she has steadily honed her skills, developing confidence, discipline, and a determination to excel in the sport. Meet Agrata Singh, who recently won the gold at DSO Under-14 Boxing and Taekwondo.

In a candid interview, she shares how she prepared herself physically and mentally for the competition.

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

I was extremely happy and overjoyed. When the referee raised his left hand to declare me the winner of the final match, I could hardly believe I had made it all the way! After competing in five consecutive fights against a field of 46 athletes and finally winning gold, it felt almost impossible. But I had done it, and that feeling was truly unforgettable.

How did you prepare yourself physically and mentally for the competition?

I prepared myself physically through intense training under my coach, who has been a pillar of support throughout my sporting journey. He devoted extra hours to practice sessions, conditioning exercises and mock fights while wearing our kyorugi protective gear. For my mental preparation, I re-watched videos of my previous DSO matches to identify my mistakes and understand where I needed to improve. I also love listening to high-energy songs from Dhurandhar to keep myself motivated.

Which was your most challenging match, and how did you overcome it?

My semifinal match was particularly challenging. My opponent was significantly heavier than I, which made her kicks much more powerful and impactful. I honestly became a little nervous during the match. However, with the right strategy suggested by my coach and my ability to execute it successfully, I managed to overcome the challenge and win the match.

Was there a moment during the competition when you had to change your strategy?

Yes, during one of my initial elimination rounds, I faced an opponent who was taller than me. Usually, I score points by targeting my opponent’s head, but her height made that difficult. So I started focusing on scoring points by targeting her chest guard instead. Thankfully, the strategy worked as planned, and I won that fight.

Whom would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?

I would like to thank our senior school sports teacher, who has always shown unwavering support and faith in both my sister and me. I am equally grateful to my coach, who has mentored, nurtured and trained me into the player I am today. Lastly, I want to thank my elder sister, Aditi Singh of Class XII. She has always motivated me and believed in my abilities. Being a second-degree (2nd Dan) black belt herself, she also guided me strategically during my fights.

What has this achievement taught you about discipline, pressure and self-belief?

This achievement has taught me three important lessons. I have realised that true discipline means showing up for training even on days when you feel completely exhausted. Second, I have learnt that feeling pressure simply means your goals matter to you. Finally, standing on the podium reminded me of the importance of trusting my training and believing in my abilities.

What are your future goals in taekwondo?

My immediate goal is to qualify for the State Championship. Eventually, I aspire to represent my state at the National School Games (SGFI).