I want to celebrate after winning a medal in Rio: Mouma

Mouma Das qualifies for Rio Olymp[ics 2016. Image Source: ITTF
Mouma Das qualifies for Rio Olymp[ics 2016. Image Source: ITTF
Internet Desk: Despite losing her final round in the morning to North Korean Ri Myong Sun in straight games of 3-11, 9-11, 10-12, 5-11, Mouma had her chance in the losers final. And, as expected, the 32-year-old did not disappoint. She defeated Rimma Gufranova of Uzbekistan 4-1 (11-13, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7, 12-10) to book one of the two Games slots.

For Mouma, it will be her second Olympics as she had first competed in the singles event at Athens along with Sharath in 2004. This year has been very special for Mouma as she has won Gold in the South Asian Games as well as Gold in the World Championship in Kualalumpur and now qualifying for the Rio Olympics 2016.

With an exclusive interview to xtratime.in, she revealed her experience and her aim in the Rio Olympics.
XT: How did you feel after qualifying for Rio?
Mouma: I am not at all excited right now. My foremost aim right now is to go for training in Germany under Peter Angel. I am preparing for that and I will celebrate after winning medal at the Olympics.
XT: How did you motivate yourself after losing the first game?
Mouma: After losing the first game in the morning, I called my husband and he asked me to have a sleep of one and a half hours. I had a sleep and it refreshed my mind so that I could concentrate on the next game.
XT: You were not found in the old rhythm today. What happened actually?
Mouma: Though I was a bit nervous, I knew I can beat my opponent. After the first game got extended, I was more determined. But she was really good and challenged me at every stage. The win in the third game was crucial and despite losing two match points in the fifth, I was sure I am close to clinching the berth.
XT: We heard that it was raining there at Hong Kong. Did it hamper your game?
Mouma: Frankly speaking it did happened. I am not habituated in playing under those conditions. I have played fast all my life. But over here as it was played with rubber bat, the ball was going slow on to the bat due to the extreme humidity which hampered the game.