"There is no bitterness" - Anush Agarwalla speaks on his relationship with Shruti Vora

Kolkata-born rider Anush Agarwalla will be the first ever Indian to take part in dressage (equestrian sports) at the Paris Olympics 2024. There was some recent controversy about the Equestrian Federation of India selecting him over veteran rider Shruti Vora. Vora had also gone to court to get herself a spot at the Olympics.

However, Agarwalla has shot out any rivalry between the two. In an interaction with PTI, he revealed:

"There is no bitterness."

Anush Agarwalla has been in fine form for the past few years and will be aiming to bring home a medal. His ambition is justified as he wants to prove horse riding is also an important sport and youngsters should take it up as the years pass by. He is working hard, but at the same time believes defeats should be looked upon in the same way victories are celebrated. He said:

"I think defeat teaches you much more than victories. It shows you what you have to work on. Defeat also shapes you a lot as a person. It teaches you that you have two options: either you keep crying and quit or you say, okay, you take it on the chin, I had a defeat, but I'm going to make sure my next event will be a victory."

He further stated:

"It really teaches you to bring out a power from within yourself, a motivation from within yourself that you probably didn't know was even there. And I think that, in this moment, is when you improve the most."

Anush Agarwalla not wary of opponents

Anush Agarwalla is completely aware of the athletes who will be participating in dressage a few days from now.

But he is focusing more on himself rather than thinking of the opponents. He said in this matter:

"Of course, I know who all I'm competing against. But what I like to do or what I've always done and will continue to do now before the Olympics is focus on myself. That's the only thing which is in my own power. I cannot influence the others' performances, nor do I want to."