She is on the threshold of making her maiden Olympics appearance in a discipline where India has never even come close to winning a medal. But pint-sized table tennis star Mouma Das is aiming high and has embarked on a gruelling practice routine to fine-tune her game ahead of the quadrennial sports extravaganza at Athens in August.
"I know that it is going to be a very tough assignment. Only the top players of the world get to participate in the Olympics. I would like to win a medal for my country. But how far I'll be able to go depends on the kind of group I am placed in at the preliminary stage," the 20-year-old Mouma says.
Mouma, who booked a berth for the women's singles event in Athens by finishing tenth at the Beijing qualifier last month, is now training in three-hour sessions both in the morning and evening at the SAI Eastern Centre under the supervision of Chinese coach Yin Wei.
"I need to improve on my footwork, fitness, serves and returns to make a mark at Athens," Mouma said, while rating her forehand as the strongest weapon in her arsenal.
For the next phase of her preparation, the city girl will move over to SAI, Patiala, where the pre-Olympic camp will be held from May 22, with French coach Huart taking charge.
"I am working on my weak points and making mental notes of my strengths and weaknesses. I have discussed these matters with Wei, and once I go to Patiala, I'll talk to Mr Huart," Mouma said.
Mouma was a key member in the Indian women's team that put up a superb performance earlier this year to win the first ever gold in the second division of the World Championship at Qatar and secure entry to the first tier.
"The Qatar world meet is one of the proud moments of my life," a beaming Mouma said.
She followed up the Qatar success by bagging three gold, including the women's singles title, at the SAFF Games in Islamabad in April.
Ranked 173 in the world, Mouma is scheduled to go to Malaysia next month to take part in the Commonwealth Championship in the run-up to the Olympics.
"After a month-long training in Patiala, I'll be able to gauge my preparations in real match situations in Malaysia. This will help me in identifying the gray areas," she said.
