When named Sportsperson of the Year by the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club, Saurav Ghosal expressed his gratitude for the vote of confidence and promised to return it by winning more medals. At CWG 2022, he became the first squash player from India to take home a singles medal.
When Saurav Ghosal defeated James Willstrop of England to earn bronze in Birmingham this year, he became the first Indian to win a singles medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 (CWG 2022). Against the former world number one, Ghosal had to rely on his experience to secure an 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 victory. He won his first gold medal at the World Doubles Championships in Glasgow alongside Dipika Pallikal prior to CWG 2022 as well. He was recently chosen as the Sportsperson of the Year at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club awards, which was the cherry on top.
He expressed his appreciation for the recognition from the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club awards by saying, “Receiving recognition from the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club is, in my opinion, a true honour. They pay great attention to us, so I’m glad they think I’m deserving of the honour. I’m hoping to keep repaying the faith by winning more medals for India.”
To face his English opponent, Ghosal had to defeat Paul Coll of New Zealand in the semi-final at Birmingham. He had fought Willstrop nine times prior to the bronze medal playoff and had only triumphed once. In the playoff, Ghosal used Willstrop’s weariness to his advantage by dragging him into lengthy rallies, and he also played much better defence.
At the Asian Squash Team Championships, when he helped the Indian men’s team win a gold medal, Ghosal was also in outstanding form. India defeated Kuwait 2-0 in the championship match, with Ghosal defeating Ammar Altamimi 11-9, 11-2 to seal the trophy. Ghosal is currently competing in two PSA tournaments in New Zealand from November 8–13. After that, he will go to Singapore for his final tournament of the year from November 15–20.
“That’s my aim for the year,” he stated. “I am playing two PSA events in New Zealand from November 8 to 13 and Singapore from November 15 to 20.”
