Player Spotlight: Kush Kumar

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India’s Kush Kumar is an emerging talent in the world of squash and the 19-year-old currently sits at World No.97 in the World Rankings.

July saw Kumar win his first career PSA World Tour title at the City of Devonport Tasmanian Open and Kumar cites the tournament as the outstanding moment of his career thus far.

“Winning my first PSA World Tour title in Australia at such a young age was really wonderful for me,” said Kumar.

“From the start of the tournament through to the final I was playing really well. When I was match ball up I just wanted to finish the match because I so desperately wanted to win the tournament and get the winning feeling.”

Growing up in India, squash was not at the top of the sporting priorities list for Kumar.

He initially started out as a swimmer in Dhampur, a city in the Northern regions of the country, before a squash coach at the club recommended the sport to Kumar. The youngster heeded the advice and he hasn’t looked back since.

“Basically I used to swim for my local club until one day the squash coach asked me if I wanted to start playing,” he said.

“I really liked the sport so that’s how I came to play squash. I never thought that I would become a professional. I’m loving it.”

With sports such as cricket and field hockey currently capturing the hearts of young Indians hoping to forge a career in the sports industry, Kumar feels that any success he has will influence the Indian public to take more of an active interest in squash.

He also highlights the countries exemplary performance at the 2014 Asian Games – where they won Gold in the team event – as having an impact on the sport’s popularity.

“Squash is getting more popular in India after we won Gold in the Asian games,” Kumar enthused.

“Compared to cricket we are a long way off but hopefully we will be there soon. We are just lacking big sponsorship.”

While raising the popularity of squash in India is important to Kumar, his main aspiration is to break into the top 50 and he hopes to achieve that feat in the coming months.

“I’m really happy to break into the top 100 and reach career-high rank,” he said.

“For 2016 my goal is to break into the top 50 and I am really pushing myself for that. I am still very hungry to achieve my goals.”

No player can make it on his own and Kumar is mindful of that fact, taking the time out to praise his backroom team who have made his progression possible.

In addition to his coaching staff, Kumar also provided an insight into his preparation for his matches which showcases his steely focus as he attempts to match his lofty ambitions.

“My coaches, ex-national player Cyrus Poncha and Major S. Maniam, are helping me a lot and giving me advice whenever I need it,” said Kumar.

“I’m also really thankful to the ISA academy who have supported me for the last eight years.

“Before my matches I don’t really like to do much. I just want to be alone so I can focus well. In the tournaments I don’t like to try new food so I just stay on what I have been eating throughout the tournament.”

Kumar renews his attempts to make yet another push up the World Rankings when he heads to Canada to take part in the Bankers Hall Club Pro Am next month.

By James Hall