Olympics Story Of The Indian Diaspora: For Better Or Worse
US based tennis person of Indian origin (PIO) Rajeev Ram capped off one of the most successful weeks when partnering with Austin Krajicek he won the silver medal in the men’s doubes at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
Without a doubt Ram’s performance was pick of the best when it came to terming the best performer among all the Indian origin athletes who are representing different countries. Its worth mentioning here that Ram had won the gold medal in the mixed doubles in the Tokyo Olympics partnering Serena Williams.
Ram’s parents who hail from Bangalore were both professionals who wanted to make it to bigger pastures. Once his father Raghav migrated to the Rajeev became an out and out US pro, even though there are many instances when he has gone on record saying that he misses Bangalore, where he spent a certain part of his childhood.
In fact, Rajeev went through the early phases of his tennis stint in the Garden City. But thereafter he moved over to the US, he worked and re worked on his game under the tutelage of Ian Rogers, the famous NCAA tennis coach. Rogers was to have a big impact on Rajeev’ s career as the latter made Rogers his full time coach during his initial pro tour career,
Rajeev’s love for India also transcends to his culinary delicacies. For him a dosa and sambhar chatni are top draw, despite the fact that he also relishes non vegetarian food. Also the south Indian filter strong coffee is what gives start to his perfect day. At 38, Rajeev does not have much top flight tennis left in him but he has already left a indelible mark for himself in the annals of US tennis.
Another sportsperson of Indian origin who did well at the Paris Olympics was table tennis player Kanak Jha. The 24 year old created history for US table tennis when he became the first American to enter the pre quarter final of the Olympics. He upset world No 20 Drobas to scalp his biggest win in the world table tennis tour.
Thereafter, Kanak played his heart out and reached the pre-quarter finals — a place where no other American paddler had ever set his foot on. Overnight, he became the toast of US sports and newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post featured him in their pages—something rarely accorded to a table tennis player.
Its worth mentioning here that Kanak is a four time US national champion and a Pan American silver medallist. Kanak, who has never visited India ever before had recently expressed his desire to do so. “Someday, I would like to visit India as I have heard a lot of good things, Lets see, the sooner the better,” he opined.
Wrestler Amar Dhesi was another good performer for Canada, In a country which does not have a tradition of the matted sport. Amarveer Singh Dhesi, whose parents hail from Amritsar ensured that Canada has made a mark in world wrestling. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, the 28 year old, a junior world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, fought valiantly but lost in the pre quarters of the 120 kg category.
