For Dipankar Bhattacharjee, what started as a hobby, turned into a passion and into the will to represent the country.
Follow Us
As history writes itself, few names become immortal. There are few who create history, and the ones who stand testimony to the word immortal. One such name comes from the now marked Assam– Dipankar Bhattacharjee. One of the three to represent India in the first-ever badminton exhibition at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The three-player badminton contingent at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics saw Vimal Kumar, Madhumita Bisht, and Dipankar Bhattacharjee perform like they were out to prove a point. That they are worthy of being where they are. For Bhattacharjee, what started as a hobby, turned into a passion and into the will to represent the country. Till he actually did.
Bhattacharjee, before being an Olympian has a long list of national and international records under his belt. Sub-junior, junior, senior national title, Bhattacharjee has them all. He is also the only senior national champion from Assam.
Bhattacharjee is remembered as the first Olympian from Assam. The first man to qualify for the Games twice. He is also remembered for his stellar pre-quarter performance against world champion Zhao Jianhua of China, 15-4, 15-12. Bhattacharjee was young, the platform was big. The world 38 against world number 1 was going to be a match to remember, and it was… The nerves, the sheer will, and almost comeback are what defines India’s performance at the Barcelona Olympics. India was more about performance and less about medals, at that time.
“I became the first Olympian from Assam and that was appreciated by the people and the government and I was suitably recognized and given a good send-off for the Olympics. I still cherish those few months, those were great experiences.”
The Indian shuttler, who was 20 at the time, had beaten Ivan Ivanov of Bulgaria in the first round and Hannes Fuchs of Austria in the second. Bhattacharjee also teamed up with Vimal Kumar for the men’s doubles but bowed out in the opening round.
“Getting the chance to represent India at the Olympics is the biggest experience of my life. Being a part of that history-making moment was special.”
He was one of the few Indians who could match up to the performance set by China, Singapore, or Malaysia. Despite will and potential… it was an injury that became his worst enemy. From wrist injuries to a long recovery period due to lack of proper medication, Bhattacharjee had seen it all.
His qualification for the 1992 and 1996 Olympics made him the only Indian man to qualify for the Games twice. It is a tough record to beat, and not many have even come close.
It was just in Assam’s destiny, the Golden period was about to begin, and it did… With Bhattacharjee enrolled in Kanaklata Indoor Stadium as a toddler. Bhattacharjee was always high on energy. His father decided it was about time they ensured he channelise his energy into something more lucrative– badminton. It was as if everything was falling into place… by miracle. They rarely happen with people, unless they have worked hard for it. Under the guidance of Pradip Chaliha, Bhattacharjee progressed. As a sub-junior, he faced many roadblocks. Especially people telling him that he was just wasting his time and sports was not more important than education. His father, one of his major support systems, ensured the young lad got his share of practice time.
The young talent was spotted by one of the country’s greatest from that time– Prakash Padukone. Padukone saw a spark in Bhattachrjee’s young eyes and recommended his name to the selection committee. In order for one to qualify for the Games, one has to have international titles and rankings under their belt. Bhattacharjee, as a senior competed in the All England, the French Open, and the national titles that came at the cost of Rajeeb Bagga, Sushant Saxena, and Pullela Gopichand. Bhattacharjee achieved the final world ranking of 38. He was India number 1 when Gopichand was number 2.
Bhattacharjee finally gave up on the sport in 2004, with one aim in mind– to train a kid to become an Olympian someday. He currently inspires a young generation of badminton players who want to represent the country in the Olympics and win a Gold.
