Deaf badminton champion Rajeev Bagga salutes India's World No 2 and recalls how he could never hear the applause during his playing days but was extremely emotional whenever he saw the tricolour being raised

Rajeev Bagga salutes World No 2 Saina Nehwal

Deaf badminton champion Rajeev Bagga salutes India's World No 2u00a0and recalls how he could neveru00a0hear theu00a0applause duringu00a0his playing days butu00a0was extremely emotional whenever he saw the tricolour being raised

Rajeev Bagga, former national badminton champion was known as the silent assassin when he used to play in India. Assassin because he was deadly on court as opponent's realised as they perished one by one and silent because Bagga is deaf, he inhabits a world quite different from other persons.

Rajeev knows what it is to be No 1, for he has been at the top for a long time. Yet, in one fundamental way, Bagga's world is different from Saina. Saina can hear the applause and cheers of the spectators. Bagga never could.u00a0u00a0

Says Bagga, "Perhaps this issue is important from a "hearing" perspective. Applause is not significant from a sporting perspective. I am deaf and I have reached the top in both the Open category and in the deaf platform in India and on the international stage. As a sportsman, what is important is aiming for the highest position and winning."

Bagga also writes that there was one upside to not being able to hear, he could not hear the cheering for the opposition too. "These can also be distractions that can be negative for a player."u00a0

Bagga says he could never hear the Indian national anthem being played while he was on the podium but "that is important from a 'hearing' person's perspective. I have always felt very emotional when saw my national flagu00a0- be it the Indian in the past or the British today, being hoisted when I have won a medal on the international circuit for my country. I have felt very emotional about doing my country proud."

Bagga is happy that Saina is getting endorsements,u00a0 "she is a high-profile sportswoman and deserves this support," says the champion who is currently the All England Veterans and All European Veterans Champion, besides holding the Deaflympics No 1 spot for an unbeaten record of a straight 20 years.

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