Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : June 4, 2018 2:11 PM IST
We were lucky enough to talk to Monu Goyat last season (ProKabaddi League season 5) when he was a part of Patna Pirates team. At the recent #VivoProKabaddiAuctions, the star raider was auctioned for a whopping amount of 1.51 crores to join his new team Haryana Steelers. Here is an expert of the previous interview where he spoke to us about all things Kabaddi and how the game makes him feel like a learner no matter how much he sweats on the mat while training. We wish him a great season ahead.
Prior to the beginning of this season (season 5), not many people would have thought that Monu Goyat will shine this bright. He has been a consistent player whose contribution to the team cannot be ignored. With his stellar performance, he made a place for himself among the top 10 raiders of Pro Kabaddi League 2017. He is one raider the Patna Pirate team looks up to after the superb Pardeep Narwal. This 24-year-old has proved his mettle on the mat time and again. We know there is no looking back for this excellent raider who is also all set to triumph all the record charts of the game. Just ahead of the final match of the Pro Kabaddi League 2017 we got talking to Monu Goyat on Kabaddi and things that are close to his heart.
What inspired you to take up this game?
I was in the 5th grade when I started playing Kabaddi. I was inspired watching my uncle play this game. As it is with every other child I loved playing more than academics. My family however supported and encouraged me to play kabaddi. When I played kabaddi, it always made me happy and I just kept going.
Kabaddi being a contact sport calls for a lot of strength training and practice. What do you do to keep yourself this fit?
There is no one kind of exercise that can make you fit and strong to play this sport. You need to be agile and boost your overall fitness. There are various kinds of exercises that we do like running, free hand exercises, weight training, endurance training to bring out the best in us during the game. And then, of course, we practice the game for hours to make our moves perfect and get better at it. If you want to play this game like a pro there is no way you can be lax in your fitness routine.
This means you are particular with your diet too?
There is no escape, you have to be vigilant with your diet. Eating the right foods is important especially what you eat after your training session, as the body needs the right nutrients to recover from the damage. Protein-rich foods, dry fruits and fruits that naturally help to get power and energy are good options post workout. Else, we keep a tab on our diet; we avoid fried foods and sweets.
When it comes to kabaddi what are your strengths and weaknesses?
I think there is so much more I need to learn, so much I need to practice, to get better at this game. A person can only talk about his strengths in this game when he has mastered something. I think I am still a work in progress.
As far as weaknesses are concerned, even the best of the players have them. Kabaddi is not a linear game where you can master one move and just move on. To be on top of your game you have to keep practising and perfecting the moves. Kabaddi as the game is very demanding. No matter how much you practice there will always be some more to learn. We are constantly learning and unlearning every day. There is never going to be a single weakness that will call for your entire attention, the game needs you to focus on it as a whole.
What is that one thing that keeps inspiring you to get better at this game?
Being a raider, the best part of this game for me is to go and raid. I like it when I get those touch points more than anything. I would love to improve my hand touch more as it is one thing about the sport that excites me the most.
Where do you aspire to be?
I want to play for my country, take this game to great heights. It is a great honour to be able to play the Asian Championship in Kabaddi. I want to play the championship and win gold for India.
The nature of the league is such that people who are your teammates today become your opponents later. How is it facing your friends as opponents on the mat?
This happens with every game, not just kabaddi. Your opponents today might be your teammates in the national team and vice versa when we play domestic matches. But one thing is that we all are friends off the mat and field. But when we play against each other we all give our 100 percent. At that time it s not about our friendship it is about our team spirit. The team we are playing is our priority.
How do you pull yourself up if a match isn t turning favourable for you?
It is essential to introspect and self-motivate when things aren t going your way. Those few moments when you are out and sitting on the bench and waiting to get back on the mat, a small self-pep talk helps, reflecting on your past performance and self-motivating is necessary. Else, it is difficult to get the focus back on the game which isn t going your way.
How do you relax after a tiring game?
I talk to my family, their words of encouragement always lifts up my spirits. My teammates are always there for me, they are like a second family.
Kabaddi has become big these days, unlike before, has this created a kind of pressure on you people?
In a way yes. Because people watch us now on screen, recognise us it has made us much more self-discipline. We are cautious about the way we present ourselves, behave but it makes us feel good that we are like known faces in the crowd.
Read Pardeep Narwal's exclusive interview here
Image courtesy: www.patnapirates.com
