'I truly believe we have fair shot at winning against anyone,' says Tanisha Crasto

Tanisha will be playing her maiden Olympics.

At just 21-years-old, Tanisha Crasto is preparing for her Olympic debut in Paris. The Goan shuttler, who once represented Bahrain in junior tournaments, has quickly risen through the ranks since pairing up with doubles veteran Ashwini Ponnappa in early 2023.

“We want to put up a really good show,” Crasto beams confidently. Her partnership with 35-year-old Ponnappa, now the oldest woman shuttler to qualify for the Paris Olympics, has been nothing short of remarkable. The duo broke into the top 20 world rankings, becoming India’s No. 1 pair and securing their Olympic berth.

Recalling the moment they learned of their Olympic qualification, Crasto shares, “We got up in the morning and had the biggest hug. We were super happy.” She speaks admiringly of her partner, stating, “I too wish to be like her and play like her. She is super hard working and determined to do well. She is an inspiration to me.”

For Crasto, the Olympics represent the culmination of years of hard work. “The main goal is to be the best version of ourselves,” she explains. “We want to have good set of matches, good games and good experiences.”

The young shuttler’s family has been a pillar of support. “I got a nice big hug from my family. They were proud parents, sharing with everyone that she is my daughter and she is going to Olympics,” Crasto recalls of her recent visit home to Dubai.

She furthermore speaks on how her parents motivate her to work hard and do well. She aims to ‘not just to be’ in Paris but ‘to win a medal’ there. She continues to share how her parents plan to be in Paris during the Olympics to support her and cheer for her.

As they prepare for the Games, Crasto exudes confidence in their abilities. “I truly believe we have a fair shot at winning against anyone. On the day of the competition, it will come down to who performs the best. We are capable of defeating everyone.”

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The pair had a taste of the Olympic venue during the French Open Super 750 tournament earlier this year. Despite an early exit, Crasto remains positive about the experience. “I loved the feeling of playing on the Paris court. It’s just right,” she reflects.

Crasto, who is supported by Welspun Foundation, is part of India’s seven-member badminton contingent for Paris, matching the country’s largest Olympic badminton team from Rio 2016. She expresses faith in her teammates’ form, particularly highlighting men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

The badminton events at the Paris Olympics begin on July 27. Crasto and Ponnappa are drawn in Group C, facing tough competition, including the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists from Korea. Their first match is scheduled for 11:50 PM IST on July 27.

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