‘Clinching top honours is my unflinching holy grail’

Practice makes a man perfect! This maxim couldn’t have been truer for this young lad who bagged accolades at such a nascent age. A table tennis necromancer, Prabhav Gupta won the first position in the U-19 Boys Team and second position in the Men’s Team at the Neelgiri Stag Delhi State Inter District Table Tennis Team Championship 2023.

Keeping this sport love alive for the past 12 years, Prabhav sincerely devoted all his morning and evening hours to practice and juggled his studies too in between. “I have taken non-medical in my class XII. I have been following the strictest timetable knowing very well that I have to achieve the maximum within the 24 hours I have in a day,” said the student studying at Apeejay School, Pitampura.

“I started my sports sojourn with skating but table tennis was my ultimate destiny calling.  And since class I, this sport has become my constant inseparable companion,” added Prabhav.

He maintains that adhering to a well-balanced diet is crucial for sustaining good health and meeting the physical demands of table tennis. “I mostly prefer only home-cooked food, nutritious breakfast, and lunch. I avoid eating outside as much as possible,” asserted the 17-year-old.

A true sportsman is known for his discipline and grit, and behind that lies a conscientious training regime that cannot be undermined. “Before COVID-19, I used to practice this sport for a minimum of three to four hours daily. And most often it will be after and before school hours,” explained Prabhav.

“Even my school encouraged me to participate in all the sporting events like the CBSE Table Tennis event and Delhi state school event. My school has even awarded me a scholarship to continue table tennis without any hassles.”  

And what is your magic mantra just before the game starts? “Feeling stressed, anxious, and nervous are the emotions that are bound to be there but over these years I have mastered the trick well to understand that winning is my only linchpin,” expressed the young lad.

“I revised the entire plan of my strategy including the execution of my moves and strokes. I make the anticipation ahead my biggest strength to keep up my temperament,” he added.

Prabhav holds the time when he was selected for the Tokyo Super League very close to his heart. “I am never disheartened after losing a match. My biggest takeaway is the lessons that I learnt on the go. The mistakes I made, the areas which require learning and improving,” he explained.

On a parting note, Prabhav calls table tennis a game of speed, accuracy, spin, and control. “If this is not the real joy in life then I don’t know what else is,” he said in conclusion.