Proper planning and hard work in the last four years helped Aditi Ashok live one of her dreams as the teenage golfer on Tuesday qualified for next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Aditi, who was placed 58th in world golf rankings on Monday — the cut off date for Rio qualification — officially joined Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P. Chawrasia in the Indian golf squad for the Games. At 18, she will be the youngest member in the Rio-bound contingent.
The International Olympic Committee has restricted the International Golf Federation to an Olympic field of 60 players each in men’s and women’s competitions in a sport that is making a return to the Games for the first time since the 1904 St. Louis Games.
Lahiri (20th) and Chawrasia (45th), who were all but through owing to their high rankings, also got confirmed on the day.
Aditi said it was a “dream come true” but added it was not something unexpected.
Talking to this paper, Aditi said, “I found out in 2012 that golf would make a return to the Games after 112 years and I was excited. As a golfer, you don’t imagine that you can ever win an Olympic medal but now it is possible. So, my mom and I planned events and made an individual effort to play in professional events as an amateur.
“And making it to Rio, I feel like it is a great accomplishment for my team and the result of all the hard work and planning.”
The teenager, who hit a purple patch in her fledging career last year — with three title wins including the Ladies British Amateur Golf championship before attaining the Ladies European Tour full season card — stressed that performing internationally in big events boosted her confidence. “Game wise, I have improved and progressed over the past year. I have grown stronger and that has helped me hit the ball longer.
“I am working hard on all aspects of my game, putting in a lot of practice hours and that should help me get ready for the Games. I feel I have prepared well and I think if I play solid on all days I can hope for a great finish,” she said on her preparations.
Aditi will be accompanied by her dad Ashok, who will be her caddy in Rio.
Lauding Aditi’s efforts, Women’s Golf Association of India secretary general Champika Sayal said, “A landmark day for India as Aditi becomes the first and youngest ever Indian woman to become a golf Olympian in over a century of global golfing history — a true celebration for our golfing community.”
