Want to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics & win: Anush
Times of India | 16 January 2024
Kolkata boy Anush Agarwalla made the city proud on January 9 when he received the prestigious Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The 24-year-old made history at the 2022 Asian Games by bringing home India’s first bronze medal in the individual Equestrian Dressage event. He was also part of the team Equestrian Dressage event in which India won its second gold medal in 41 years. We spoke to him about the win, his love for films, music, future plans and more. Excerpts:
Started riding at a relatively young age
I was introduced to the sport at a relatively young age. In Kolkata, there’s a golf club not too far away from my home that also offers riding facility. My parents used to take me there on the weekends from the age of three. I would sit on ponies and go for a walk around the greenery. I was enrolled for riding lessons when I was around eight or nine. When I was 11, I started going to New Delhi every weekend to ride horses, and after finishing my Class X exams, I shifted to Delhi to pursue riding more seriously. But I soon realised that I had a long way to go before I could reach the level of proficiency I was trying to reach. So, I moved to Germany at the age of 17 and started serious training with my coach Hubertus Schmidt.
The happiness of successful riders gave me goosebumps
I always enjoyed spending time with horses. While I was training in Delhi, I used to watch videos from the Olympics or other major events. The happiness on the face of the riders after finishing their tests, the way they patted their horses, and the way everyone stood up in respect and clapped for them, gave me goosebumps, and motivated me to work harder to enjoy a special moment like that.
I really miss Indian food in Germany
I love to watch films, though I don’t get much time to go to the theatres. My other love is music. It’s a must ahead of any competition, as it helps me focus. I’m into Bollywood music, hip-hop, rap – anything that goes with my mood.
I’m a huge foodie and really miss Indian food, especially home-cooked meals. It makes me homesick at times. But when I’m back in Kolkata, I have my fill of home-cooked food and street food.
My dream is to be the first Indian to participate in Dressage at the Paris Olympic Games and win
It’s indeed an honour to be conferred with the Arjuna Award. It has always been my dream to win medals for India
Dressage is about how well you bond with your horse, how well and effortlessly both of you can perform together
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