Not many Indian sportspersons can boast of as many comebacks as him, not only from the jaws of defeat, but equally from career-threatening injuries. Which is why Gopichand's sterling win at the All England Championship is no surprise for those who have seen him rise Phoenix-like from the ashes of injury and illness. Indian badminton, which had gone into a shell for long, had a second coming in 1997, when New Delhi hosted the Indian Open. Gopichand did not win the title, but it was a beginning. Most important though was the fact that not for a moment did this soft-spoken shuttler lose faith in himself.
Competition is the call of the day.
And when it comes to sports, the spirit of competition gets a new definition with the genius of the winners. Gopichand's victory, of course, proves once again the adage that nothing succeeds like success. Padukone, who was also present at the function, had showed the way by becoming the first Indian to win the All England Badminton Championship 21 years ago, and is today a national sports icon. The nation today requires many winners. This felicitation of Gopichand is not only recognition for his outstanding talent but also the spirit of grit and determination.