Those struggling to overcome failures have much to learn from Aditi Ashok. The 23-year-old Bengalurean who came fourth in women's golf at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 believes it always helps to look on the bright side, instead of dwelling on one’s failures. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Ashok talks about her life and loves outside golf, from home food to Harry Potter. Excerpts:
Q/What does golf mean to you?
A/I have grown up with golf being a part of my life. It means a lot. A few days without golf and I start feeling a void. It is an ingrained aspect of my life.
Q/You missed the medal by a whisker at the Tokyo Olympics. How did you cope?
A/I think it is probably the worst thing to finish fourth. Still, it makes me feel good because the impact has been so huge. So many people in India are writing and talking about golf, and even watching it. I am looking at the positive side. The fact that my Olympic performance has generated more interest is great. Sometimes you play well and don’t win. Sometimes you don’t play that well and yet you finish better than you expected. When I ended up fourth, I was a bit devastated. But I gave it my 100 per cent and I really could not give anything more.
Q/How do you unwind after a long day of golf?
A/I watch movies. I can watch anything. I am a movie buff. When I was growing up, I was a huge fan of Harry Potter and Hunger Games. I still watch them whenever I can. Of late, I watch action and horror movies, too.
Q/What is your typical day like?
A/I usually work out for an hour in the morning or in the evening. During the rest of the day, I practise for four to six hours. This is when I am back home and preparing for a tournament. During a tournament, when I am at the venue, I have to play on the golf course and get a feel for it. I might be on the course for six hours or so.
Q/How do you keep yourself motivated?
A/I think the game itself is pretty motivating. Every day is different. Just having played well yesterday or last week does not guarantee anything this week. You are always on your toes to improve every aspect of your game. [You have no scope to] stay where you are or move backwards... that is how competitive tours are. So you are always trying to get that little bit—half per cent or one per cent—better in every aspect.
Q/How do you manage without a coach?
A/Both my parents supported me a lot when I was young. My dad would take me to the golf course every day and teach me how to manage my game. My mom has been a pillar of strength. From her, I have learnt how to create a positive environment around yourself. She also helped me get into bigger tournaments and manage my schedule. This helped me make it to the Olympics last time as well, when I was 18 years old. That was definitely an outcome of her good planning.
Q/Are you a foodie?
A/I like Indian food a lot. And I am vegan, so it is harder for me to find stuff when I am travelling. I think home food is the best and I miss it while on tours.