Manasi Girishchandra Joshi exudes a serene, meditative calm these days.

After each rally, she retreats inward, seemingly detached from the surrounding commotion. Her movements between points are slow and deliberate, and she no longer celebrates as she once did.

“I meditate every day,” revealed the 2019 SL3 women’s singles world champion at the 4 Nations Para Badminton International 2024. “Even the coin toss for me is a form of meditation. There’s so much to do with breathing right that helps get your mind right. It’s balance, it’s composure, it’s calmness. This all helps during my matches. At one point I was 8-1 down and I took a mental break to meditate,” she added after her 21-13 21-16 Group C win over Coraline Bergeron.

“I just pushed myself and said ‘one point at a time’. In the second game, we were really close. But I wanted to create a two to three-point lead and then maintain that to get the edge over her.”

And it’s not just meditation that helps Joshi on and off court.

“I journal too, it helps a lot. I write everything down. I don’t’ look back at what I’ve written. I write and it’s therapeutic. It’s like a release and a lot like meditation. You let things go.”

Drawing inspiration from H.S. Prannoy, Joshi commends the breathing techniques he has implemented into his game.

“He’s fantastic and I’ve trained with him. We all learn from each other,” she said.

A little over two months out from the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Joshi feels her preparations are going well.

“The Level 1 in Glasgow feels like a test event for Paris. When you look at my group, three of us are going to be in Paris. The challenges and mental toughness you need is in this competition. If you ask me to go to the Paralympics in two weeks, I’ll be ready physically after overcoming some injuries. Mentally, I’m there now. I’m ready.”

→ Results (Day 2)

→ Order of Play (Day 3)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“I came in feeling confident after winning my opening match against a seeded player. Some shots didn’t come back as expected and nerves crept in but this is all a learning curve for the big event.” – Celine Aurelie Vinot on trying to get the better of 2022 SL3 world champion Oksana Kozyna

“I’m playing well. I had a great run during the Spanish Para events a few months ago and I’m improving more and more before the Paralympics. Playing at home is going to be so special and I hope to show what a great sport Para badminton is.” – Thomas Jakobs (WH2) hyped up for the Summer Paralympic Games

“It was a rollercoaster. I needed to keep getting stuck in and that’s a great example of what I will take away from here for Paris 2024.” – Krysten Coombs (SH6) on digging deep to overcome a strong challenge from Charles Noakes 21-15 8-21 21-17

“I dyed my hair this colour because I’m going for gold at Paris 2024. I hope it brings me luck.” – Choi Jung Man (WH1) hopes his new style will elevate his chances of a Paralympic medal