Paralympics-bound Palak Kohli continues full training despite lockdown in Lucknow

Locked in their homes or hostel rooms might be the story of most Indian athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic but Tokyo Paralympics-bound shuttler Palak Kohli has managed to continue full training by putting up a makeshift court ar her residential society in Lucknow.

The 17-year-old from Jalandhar was initially training at national coach Gaurav Khanna's academy in the Uttar Pradesh capital along with nine other players but eight left for their homes just in time before the national lockdown to contain the virus came into effect in mid-March.

She then rented a flat at the outskirts of Lucknow and Khanna helped her in putting up a makeshift court at a nearby park complete with lighting facility to facilitate training at night.

"I am training two shifts everyday. Because of daytime heat, I start at 6am with physical training and then play at the court till 8:30am and in the evening it's also 6-8:30pm training," Palak told PTI.

"Khanna sir stays nearby and he is there every session. So, I am not missing any training due to lockdown.

"With most of athletes confined to their homes or rooms, I think I am lucky to be able to train. When lockdown is lifted I won't be starting from scratch and I feel I will have the advantage going into Paralympics," said the youngster, who has a deformed left hand by birth.

Palak is certain to make the cut for Tokyo Paralympics in women's doubles as she is currently ranked fifth in the world. The top six in the list to be published by International Paralympic Committee will get automatic qualification.

"Out of 13 qualification tournaments, 12 were completed and the last one was cancelled due to COVID-19.

"Out of the 13, a shuttler has to compete in at least six. I am now 5th and top six get automatic qualification. So, I am a certainty for Tokyo Paralympics," said the teen.

Palak's coach Khanna said, "Given that Palak is ranked 5th in women's doubles in the qualification events held in 2019-2020, she has attained required eligibility to qualify for Paralympics in SL3-SU5 women's doubles."
"We are also following social distancing norms, we have kept sanitisers with us during training and we keep distance while doing warm ups. We talk from a distance. Moreover, it's a gated society, nobody comes in and goes out without permission."