16-year-old Mumbai paddler Mudit Dani breaks into top 10 of ITTF Pro Circuit. Adit Ganguly brings you his story
You can't miss Mudit Dani's braces. Certainly not when the 16-year-old smiles. It's infectious to say the least.
But these days, Dani is smiling more than ever before. His exploits on the international table tennis circuit have helped him break into the top-10 of the ITTF Pro Tour Circuit (junior boys category).
Being the first and only paddler from Maharashtra to achieve this feat, the right-hander was in for a pleasant surprise from his best friend. "Aryan called me over to his house to watch the Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore game on Sunday. The living room was dark when I walked in. But the lights came on and I saw all my friends," says the Kemps Corner resident.
The last year-and-a-half has seen Dani grow from strength to strength. The Std X student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School has participated in seven ITTF Junior circuit events, winning medals (two gold and nine bronze). The highlight was the gold medal he won at the El Salvador Junior & Cadet Open last August. Victory in San Salvador helped him qualify for the ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals 2014-15 in Paraguay, where the top 16 players of the world participated.
"Being the highest-ranked Indian in my category isn't an easy feat. What I mustn't forget is to thank the TTFI (Table Tennis Federation of India) which encourages me to play on the ITTF circuit. Sachin Shetty (junior India coach) has also played a key role in my progress. It's a long road ahead and I have to work a lot harder. Especially my footwork and the way I receive serves," says Dani who practises at Khar Gym and Hindu Gym.
Keeping a watchful eye over the 16-year-old is five-time world champion Peter Karlsson. "I met him at a camp in Indore in 2011. STAG is my sponsor and Karlsson happens to be their brand ambassador. Since then I have been visiting him ever year in Falkenberg, Sweden. He says that I'm very passionate about the game. He finds my game consistent with a good block and counter attack. He says I need to improve my fitness, which will add power to my game. We are in touch on Skype," adds Dani, who knows a bit of Swedish. "I listen to Swedish music. We all know how good their DJs are. Avicii is my favourite. I don't spend much time doing anything else or playing another sport. It's just music and TT for me."
As Dani shows you photos on his Instagram account, you realise that sports runs in the family. His mother, Vita Dani, is the co-owner of ISL franchise Chennaiyin FC and was part of the organising committee that hosted the Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships in Mumbai last September. "That tournament was the first time I represented India at a championship. What better than to do it in your own city!" says Dani.
Table tennis has taken a back seat for Dani. There is a small matter of public exams to contend with. "They start on May 5 and that's the only thing I'm thinking about right now. Maths and English should be easy. Hindi well...," Dani breaks into laughter.
His busy schedule helps him stay away from books and school, but he manages well. "I haven't gone to school since March 7. It's so long ago that I remember the date as well. But my teachers are pretty cool. They send me stuff and notes via email. So I do brush up on them after training everyday. My teachers have supported me and that's the reason why I don't have to worry about my college because I'll be with them next year," he says.
Despite not attending school, Dani feels that he can never follow the Chinese model where budding paddlers attend school three days a week. "That may be the reason why they're at the very top but I can't live like that. Yuck. You need a social life, don't you? It'll drive me crazy if I didn't have school and only played something. You'd be looked down upon in a place like Mumbai," laughs Dani.
KNOW DANI
Dani has participated in seven ITTF Junior circuit events and has won 11 medals including, two gold and nine bronze. The gold medal he won at the El Salvador Junior & Cadet Open last August helped him qualify for the ITTF Global Junior Circuit Finals 2014-15 in Paraguay.
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