"Very high expectations," Sushila Chanu discusses aim for the Olympics

The Indian women's hockey team midfielder feels the postponement of the quadrennial event helped her side to prepare.

One of the most integral parts of the Indian women's hockey team's in recent years, Sushila Chanu has attained fame quickly in her career. The midfielder came under the limelight after leading the Indian junior women's team to a bronze medal finish at the 2013 Junior World Cup, held in Monchengladbach, Germany.

She was also the captain of the national team at the Rio Olympics. Over the years, she has gone onto amass 181 international caps for the Indian team. Her experience and leadership skills have proved to be invaluable assets. In an exclusive interview with Khel Now recently, the midfielder spoke about her childhood, Olympic preparations, and aim.

Success during early days

Sushila Chanu made her international debut in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the 2008 Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup. Since then, she has cemented her place in the senior national team.

“I was interested in sports right from my childhood. I started playing at the age of 11. In 2006, I joined an academy and received training. I received a call-up to the national team for the first time in the year 2008 for the Junior Asia Cup. We won a bronze medal in the tournament. From that period onwards, I have been an ever-present part of the Indian team," she began.

Sushila Chanu was then part of the Indian team that achieved consecutive bronze medal finishes in international tournaments. “2013 Junior World Cup is the best tournament of my career so far. We were very relaxed and enjoyed playing in the tournament. At the 2014 Asian Games in Korea, we had great chances of reaching the final. We had fought really well," she reminisced.

Setbacks & Injuries

Women's hockey was a part of the showpiece event for the first time ever at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. While the Indian women's hockey team had qualified for the 1980 edition, they had to wait for 36 years to secure a spot in the mega event again. In Rio 2016, Sushila Chanu captained the Indian national team, however, the campaign finished in disappointment.

“I was very surprised when I was appointed the captain of the national team. We qualified in Olympics in Rio after 36 years. We lacked experience in that tournament," she remarked.

This was followed by a major knee injury which kept her out for a significant amount of time. She missed the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, due to the injury.

“I missed the Asian Games in 2018 due to an injury. Injuries are part of the game. But, we should never give up because of it. I have always had the mentality to never give up in life," Chanu quipped.

Sports management and licensing agency, Athletes today, came forward to help her during these tough periods. "Sushila was our first star client and she is special for us. We value her as an individual and a phenomenal hockey player. We've both been together for almost four years now and come a long way," Abhishek Sharma, the founder of Athletes today expressed.

Preparations for Tokyo Olympics

Sushila Chanu also spoke about how the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics has been beneficial for the Indian team.

“The Olympics getting postponed by a year has been advantageous to the team. We were able to spend more time together and develop a better understanding among ourselves. We have worked more on our strengths. Our 1-to-1 game has also improved," the India international revealed.

“We are in Bengaluru for a long time. Our fitness trainers and coaches brought equipment for use at the hotel itself. We were given a fitness routine. Running and skipping were the main exercises. We also worked on our physical strength and conditioning," she added.

Being one of the most experienced members of the squad, Sushila Chanu always tries to lead by example and pushes the youngsters to do better.

“I always try to motivate the team. Our training in Bengaluru is going on very well. I tell the young players to play freely and express themselves on the pitch in Tokyo, just like they have been doing here. They should not be afraid of anything and must not worry about making mistakes, are things I tell them."

She also stressed the importance of the national team coach Sjoerd Marijne and revealed her expectations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

“Our coach is a very positive person. If we haven’t played well in the first half or in the first quarter of a match, he still continues to encourage the team. He also interacts with the team from the touchline if something is not going well for the team," she stated.

"Our expectations are very high for the upcoming Olympics. I don’t have any personal goals; will do anything for the team’s betterment," Chanu signed off.

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