HT NxT 2021 Day 1 Highlights: ‘Olympics has lessons on wins but also on accepting failure’: Abhinav Bindra

And with that, Day 1 comes to an end. Thank you so much for joining us. Until next time, it's goodbye. CIAO!

Abhinav Bindra: It's been incredibly exciting to watch. While I was competing, I was a chicken-hearted person. But I can confirm, it's much worse watching. It's tough to watch when we have close matches and when there is an athlete and there is a medal at stake. There were times when I switched off the television. Very difficult to stomach the tension. 

Lessons from the Olympics: I think more than the sporting actions there are lessons for everybody on not just wins but also on how to accept failure, deal with failure

Never give up. When I started boxing in 1998/99, I went to the state championship and I lost in the first round. Later, I became the state championship. I then went to the national championships and that's where I lost in the first round. I never gave up because it happened in the international level as well. 

Transition is out of sport has always been a difficult one. Athletes really need to be prepared for the transition and it happens very abruptly. It's more about losing your self-identity and creating a new one. I still don't have one. 

I wanted to do something else. I wanted to do something new. I cannot do one thing for too long. I was bored of doing the same thing at the police academy. That's why I shifted. 

Did you enjoy it? It's totally new and professional. It's totally about you. Nobody will push you. It's about the money and about you.

When I was at my lowest, I had believers. People around me continued to believe in me. 2004 in Athens, I finished 7th in the final. 5 minutes later, I met my mother and she told me that I will win gold in 4 years' time. 

Abhinav Bindra: It is the epitome of sporting success and everyone wants to be there. The tough part is that it comes once in 4 years. It's one opportunity in 4 years. We often talk about Olympics pressure and it is absolutely real. 11,000 Athletes took part in Tokyo but only 300-odd won a gold medal. That's how difficult it is. 

Vijender Singh: 2004 was my first Olympics. It is a proud moment when you meet the medallist and superstars. I was too young at the time. I said to myself that getting here is one thing but what next? IN 2008, I was more mature, so that was the difference between 2004 and 2008.

For me, there is no pressure. I was a senior TT in railways. Then, I became an inspector in Haryana Police. I told myself that I will do it. I did not get any negatives. Of course there is some pressure because it is a big tournament and everyone wants to win and there was more from media but I didn't let it get to me. I stopped picking up calls as well

In conversation with Sharda Ugra, we have Olympians Abhinav Bindra and Vijender Singh.

After football, I want to travel. There is so much to see. Thankfully, I have a partner who shares the same dream. I want to see more cultures and places. it gives us and my wife a lot of happiness.

I am buzzing. Me and Bhaichung Da have gotten abused so much that we are used to it.  When you face all this at a young age, you start enjoying it after a point. After a point, you are enjoying it internally.

I have no idea how to deal with it. I am the worst at dealing with injuries. There is no blueprint I have. The only thing I try to do is keep as fit as possible. Different players do it differently. Depends on the stage of career and the type of injury.

That was difficult. (Early exit from 2019 Asian Cup) 
Unlike others, I did not know whether I was going to make the Asia Cup. It was a double blow for me. We started with a bang, scoring 4 goals against Thailand, and we played a great game against UAE.

The loss was so bad to take. Looking at all the faces, it was killing me. 

That day was one of the worst days. 

But again, we wanted to be in Asian Cup and play for the country which is what helped us get back up. 

"Once you have given your best, make peace with the result."

Tomorrow is a new day. Relax. 

“If you want to be an elite sports personality, eat well and sleep well.”

As any 90s kid, I was addicted to soft drinks. I slowly left sugar then fried food. Then I started altering my diet with the time span and then started eating my dinner early. 

Keep innovating yourself and keep getting better. Put your best foot forward

I generally sleep at 10:30. 9:30 is the last I check my phone. Thankfully, I am an old horse so the bug of social media hasn't bitten me. When I am home, my wife and I do like to catch up on tele. We have our dinner at 7.

If we have morning training, I have breakfast at 7:30 max. If there is no training and only gym, I will start at 8. I am not recommending this to anyone. It just works for me.

It was difficult. There were no phones. That was probably the difficult yet honest and interesting start I had (to playing Mohun Bagan).

We had drawn a game. After that stones being thrown and people were spitting at us. I was hiding inside a tent. I was only 17 and-a-half and I was like where have I come. We couldn't step out for two days.

It is beyond football. Unfortunately or fortunately, I landed at a club where the litmus test was at its best. 

I got a lovely team around me. Starting from my wife to the team and family. 

A lot of sportspersons lost their way because they did not  have such a support system

I was going in the wrong direction but sports saved me. 
If you told me there was a badminton match at 2am, I would be there. 

Sports saved me. It doesn't matter how you feel that day but just go out there and gives your best because not every day is going to be the same. 

That's my mantra Just go out there and give your best. As time goes by, I know the number of days I train and play are going to get limited. 

I was a nagging kid. How do you put a long ball? How is left foot as good as your right? I had this deep need to keep asking. The more answers I got, the more I realized that it's all about doing your best every day. 

That's my journey. I have been fortunate to have kept away from injuries. Secondly, I have been coached by amazing coaches and have the teammates that I have.

I have always been lucky enough to have people who wanted me to succeed. 

I was lucky enough to be able to change clubs. 
Helped me become a better player but also helped me become a better human. 

Legends don't say “ the more you travel, the more you learn” for no reason.

The more knowledge you grasp, the better you become

First of all, thank you for the amazing and detailed introduction. 

Whenever I am asked about the last 19 years, I am always a bit stuck. First of all, I don't know how to start and what to say. 

Firstly, it's a continuous process.

Second is monotonous.

Third is boring. 

Then boring and then relentlessness. 

All this mixed with a little bit of luck is what helps you play for 19 years.

To play for the country for 100-plus games is an honour and to lead my team is also an absolute honour

After an enriching opening session, we have India men's football team captain Sunil Chhetri.

I want them to focus on performance and not on acting. I feel a lot of cricketers focus on a lot of gestures like hitting their pads with the bat etc. Let the bat and ball do the talking. You don't need to get under anyone's skin with words. Do that with your performance

Hardik: I don't see a lot of change happening in a lot of things but we need to have more all-rounders. Moreover, we will catch up with the speed, which is currently being led by England

No comments about his batting and he has to work very hard on his bowling. In all honesty, I enjoy his fielding. If you have 11 fielders like him, you can't lose a match. He goes for the catches. Sometimes, today's cricketers shy away from catches. Him and Jadeja go for it all the time. These are the cricketers that give more than 100 percent on the field. 

One that, about him, that attracted me was he did something as an all-rounder that inspires me is performing in tough situations.

I don't like talking about myself. One thing is you should know your body. You have your own strengths and weakness. Don't copy others. When you start copying others, that's when the problem will come. 

I always tell cricketers to try and understand their bodies. 

If I am good enough to go four 10 rounds and I can go for two more, I will. But if somebody is running 15 and I try to match that, it will cause harm. 

So, just try to understand your body.