The best of Chetan Anand’s performances on the European Circuit came at the Bitburger Grand Prix, where he became the first Indian male player to win a GP tournament. By V. V. Subrahmanyam.
Chetan Anand’s performance in the European badminton circuit recently was really significant considering that only last year he was involved in a controversy over not attending a National camp in Hyderabad. The Indian National champion, who was ranked World No. 24 and was set to make it to the Beijing Olympics, saw his ranking dip to around 70 following that turbulent phase when the BAI (Badminton Association of India) did not allow him to participate in internationa l tournaments.
Chetan’s showing in the European Circuit is a remarkable saga of the triumph of grit and talent over adversity. The change in his fortunes started with the India Grand Prix badminton tournament in Hyderabad last April, where he entered the final. And with better sense prevailing upon the BAI, Chetan embarked on a journey of redemption.
Chetan has had a largely successful year this year with five titles and four final appearances.
The best of his performances on the European Circuit came at the Bitburger Grand Prix, where Chetan, aged 28, became the first Indian male player to win a Grand Prix. His impressive showing also included the Czech Open title, which catapulted him to World No. 15. It was a stunning achievement, and also a fitting reply to the critics who had harped that he was too old to make any impact in the big league.
“Well, I believe whatever has happened was for my good only. No doubt, that was a very tough phase. But the important thing is I have taken it in my stride and was more focused on the game than ever before,” explained Chetan.
“And now since they (BAI) are allowing me to play in these events, I am quite happy and keen to be consistent,” he added.
Talking of his performance in the European Circuit, Chetan said, “By all means, it has been the best phase of my career. It all began with my appearance in the final at the Belgium Open. Then, after a stint with the German national squad, I won the Bitburger Grand Prix. It was a performance that took my confidence to a new high.”
The Dutch Open, where he entered the final, was another good outing for Chetan. “But the biggest win of my career came when I beat World No. 5 and Beijing Olympics semifinalist, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, in the Danish Open,” said Chetan. “Apparently, that was the best match I played in a long, long time,” he added.
According to the coach S. M. Arif, who has been travelling with Chetan, if his ward continues to play like this, he can consistently beat any top 10 player in the world.
“Right now, I am mentally and physically much stronger and ready for any challenge,” said Chetan, an executive engineer with the ONGC. “Before the European Circuit I was aiming to break into the top 25 in the world. Now that I am ranked No. 15, I want to concentrate on winning more titles,” he added.
Chetan’s ultimate goal is to win the prestigious All England Championship. “I hope to have a perfect run-up to that event after the China and Hong Kong Super Series by the end of November. That is one event which I would love to win,” he said.
Chetan has also set his sights on the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. He thanked his coach for his wonderful commitment. “Arif Sir made a big difference for all of us (including Jwala Gutta, Shruti Kurien and V. Diju) on the circuit,” he said.
The seven-time National champions, Jwala and Shruti, became the first Indian doubles pair to win a Grand Prix title in Bulgaria. They defeated Shendy Puspa Irawati and Meliana Jauhari of Indonesia 21-10, 21-12 in the final.
Jwala then teamed up with V. Diju to win the mixed doubles title, beating Irawati and Frand Kurniwan 5-21, 21-18, 21-19.
Earlier, Jwala and Diju had also won the mixed doubles title at the Bitburger Grand Prix, beating Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen of Denmark 8-21, 21-17, 22-20.
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