“Very happy that my mother asked me for something and I fulfilled her dream”: Savita Punia Opens Up on Hockey Gold Medal, Pressure and LA 2028 Qualification

On Friday, India Women’s Hockey team created history by winning the gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan, their first gold medal after 44 years. Against China, they came out 1-0 victorious, and veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia put up a stellar show, with some outstanding saves. This win also gave them a direct ticket to the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics.

Now, in an exclusive chat with the Editor-in-Chief of RevSportz, Boria Majumdar, Savita shared her experience of winning the gold medal, dealing with pressure, and directly qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympics.

You are an Asian Games gold medallist and have now qualified for the Olympics. Thoughts?

First of all, thank you so much, sir. When we came to the hotel last night for dinner, the coach (Sjoerd Marijne) said: “Are you realising it now? Or will you wake up in the morning and realise that it was not a dream that we have qualified for the Olympics?” But, you know about our journey.

We were working with a lot of dedication. So, there was a belief in the team, in the staff, that we can do it. And yesterday’s match was a do-or-die match for us. Definitely, we knew that China is a better team than us. They are better in terms of rankings. But we knew that on matchday, whoever fights more and plays well will come out victorious.

And we had a lot of reasons to give our all. We wanted to create history. We wanted more kids to come to hockey seeing us. Because after the Tokyo Olympics, we were very happy that parents used to come and ask if they should put their kids in hockey. So, it was the right time to bring our women’s hockey to the top. And definitely, you can answer the biggest question, what happened during the Paris Olympics when we didn’t qualify. We didn’t want to stress our young players.

For them, we wanted to qualify directly because they are very good players. And these qualifiers are always a pressure situation. So, we wanted to qualify directly. And we already said that we will get one and a half years for good preparation. So, instead of being busy with qualifying, we can focus on finishing on the podium.

One-two minutes were left. You dived to the right and saved the stroke. Take me to that one minute.

Sir, to be honest, it was a very high-pressure situation. After a save, everything feels good. But when you are in the goalpost, a lot goes through your mind in a few seconds. But the motivation I got was that I have to do something for this team. Because this team had called me back. I wasn’t in the team at the time of the World Cup qualifiers.

And it seemed like today was our day. And we had already decided to make it special for Siami (Lalremsiami Hmarzote) as it was her 200 caps. So, I had a look at the ball and reacted.

Bichu (Bichu Devi Kharibam) and I used to go from the right side with the stick. But we used to go from the left side with the foot. And there were more chances of an angular ball coming out. But I practised so much in the last two months that I could only see the ball.

And I visualise my things when I play matches. So, I visualised that thing many times, that I was saving. So, when that situation came, I didn’t have any fear from the inside. I thought I would save and definitely, my team always had a lot of hope in me.

If you look at it, our team scored good goals. Everything was going well. But there was a right moment and if I do something for the team there, it can be a good thing for me.

You must have heard about this in the Asian Games, that our athletes are useless. They can’t take pressure. You have become an example. How do you deal with pressure?

I feel sad when we are being judged.

We sacrifice so much every day. We work so hard every day just to perform. But to perform well, it is necessary to have a good environment, to be in a good team, to be with the individual players, the coaching staff with their beliefs.

It was the same in our team. Every player, the coaching staff had a lot of expectations.

By talking about pressure, we put more pressure on players. Otherwise, we have done that exact situation in training. If we build up the confidence of the players, there is no situation that we can’t face. Every day is not the same. The mistake I made today, I definitely won’t like to do it again. I will work on it.

It’s normal to feel pressure. No matter how much we prepare for the exam, as long as we don’t get the paper, still, there are thoughts in our minds. Of course, we have done a lot of revision. Will everything I have prepared for the exam come out? So, this is also pressure. And for an athlete, he or she does all kinds of preparations. But as long as he or she doesn’t perform, a lot of things go on in his mind.

But I think, looking at today’s mental health, there is nothing better than sports. Because we face all kinds of situations. If we win today, we have to handle it. If we lose today, we have to get up and go again tomorrow. Of course, as an athlete, we feel very sad when sometimes we are told that Indian athletes can’t take pressure.

It’s not only in India. Every athlete in the world knows the situation. But if they get more moral support, they don’t take that much burden.

It seemed that we had Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. Ready for every situation.

Absolutely, sir. Our coach had already told us this. Because when the match was against Korea, we were not able to score a goal till the third quarter. But the coach said, be patient and the goal will come. So, when it was the final, we knew that China is a good team.

But we were also able to see how we performed through the tournament. And China, the way they treated us with respect, they also knew that India have been doing a good job. So, it was not one-sided.

Like four years ago, we had a scoreline of 4-1 against them. That was definitely not going to happen. But the coach had already made a plan for us if the match goes to the shootout. Normally, I was ready for the shootout. Because if there is a shootout, I will play in the 2nd and 4th quarter.

So, if I play in the 4th quarter, my body will be warmed up. So, we can also go for the shootout. And we have already trained with the same players. So, the names were already clear that there will be five players who will go for the shootout. And we have already seen China’s database on what the goalkeeper is doing. Or their players, who can come.

So, our preparation was very good. That’s why we were confident that we won’t come empty-handed this time. And we will definitely fulfil our dreams.

One year ago, you were out of the Pro League. And today, you are the Asian Games gold medallist. All set for LA 2028 Olympics now.

It’s a great achievement for our team. Definitely, we have created history. But for us, there were two things. First, we won the medal 44 years ago. And then, the next thing was that we had to qualify directly so that we have the best time for the preparation.

Already, our staff decided that when we are going to take the gold medal, that needs to be dedicated to the staff. Because of the environment created by the staff, the trust, we are being able to take the medal.

Being a senior player, I can say that I have been under all the coaches and staff. But I think what we have today is the best. That’s why we are going back with the gold medal.

Show us the gold medal if possible. I will see it and finish it.

I had already taken it out for you. I will definitely show it to you. Because you also played a big role in it.

You know that in 2024, I said that I can’t do it anymore. And you said that I won’t let you give up. And already, you gave me an example of Sachin sir.

These things motivate me. Maybe that call made me think that if you are telling me this, then I definitely have to think again. Because if this situation comes with Sachin sir, not every athlete’s time is the same.

And today I am very happy that I didn’t give up that day. Because for the first time, my mother told me that this time I want to see my daughter. In my 23 years of career, my mother never said that. She just said that my daughter is playing, she is working hard.

But this time she said that like everyone else, I am wearing a gold medal. But my daughter has cried a lot, she has worked hard, she has been hurt, but she wants a gold medal. So, I am very happy that my mother asked me for something and I fulfilled her dream.

*Transcribed by Snehasis Mukherjee

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