Arjun Lal Jat, 24. Arvind Singh, 25. Army men whose lives took a 360-degree turn since they were introduced to rowing in 2016. Simple and unassuming, the two are all set to fly to Tokyo, having qualified for the Olympics in men’s lightweight double sculls. An unbelievable script of destiny, hard work and passion that saw Rajasthan’s Arjun and UP’s Arvind, both Naib Subedars, follow in their elder brothers’ footsteps to join the Indian Army, familiarise themselves with rowing, a sport they didn’t know existed and become champions of it eventually. The two who are more than brothers, chatted with The Telegraph from the bio-bubble at Army Rowing Node in Pune, where they are training, on a Saturday.
Congratulations! How has life changed ever since you qualified for the Olympics, in May?
Arvind: We are now more focussed on training to get a good position in the Olympics.
Arjun: Since we qualified, we have been featured in the papers and people have been calling us. Bahut badiya lagta hai.
What has been the reaction at home?
Arvind: I have my father, dadiji and bhabiji at home. They have been celebrating ever since we qualified. They have asked me to focus on the sport alone and not think about the affairs at home.
Arjun: There are my parents and siblings at home. They have asked me to focus on hard work.
Did you play any kind of sport back home?
Arvind: Mujhe game ka shaukh tha, but I hadn’t heard about rowing at all. I was into athletics and also loved cricket. I was an all-rounder and Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Brett Lee were my favourites.
Arjun: I never played a sport. Bas khet me kam kiye the. I didn’t even know about rowing before joining the army. Olympian Bajrang Lal Takhar (rower) introduced me to it.
What kind of a sport did rowing seem to you at first?
Arvind: I was wondering how it would turn out to be. Kaunsi boat hogi. Slowly the coaches taught us and then we developed a good grip on the game and I also became passionate. I started in 2016 and I am still learning. Maine kabhi apne mann me yeh nahin laya ke mein bahut bada khiladi ban gaya hoon or that I am the best. I did have difficulties in mastering the technicalities, but then you face difficulties in every new thing you are trying to learn. Boat mey jaane mein darr lagta tha mujhe. What if it turns upside down and I drown... ho sakta hain joote nahin nikle mere pair se... this despite knowing swimming. Now, I can row even blindfolded.
Arjun: It looked a bit hard in the beginning.
How has life changed in the last five-six years?
Arvind: I haven’t brought about any changes in my life, but if someone praises our efforts, it feels great.
Arjun: When I joined the army, I hadn’t thought I’d rise to such a nice rank or achieve so much in rowing.
Why did you join the army?
Arvind: Where we come from, once we pass our 10th or 12th exams, we start preparing for the army.
Arjun: Bas ekbar job lag jaaye. Itne pare likhhe toh hain nahin ke aur kuch kar lete.
Are you cherishing this life of a sportsman now?
Arvind: It feels great and would like to thank the army.
Arjun: My elder brothers are in the army and I also wanted to join the army. Badiya lag rahi hai.
Arjun Lal Jat (left) and Arvind Singh (right) with coach Dronacharya Ismail Baig Sourced by the correspondent
How are you preparing?
Arvind: We train for three to three-and-a-half hours in the morning and one-and-a-half hours to two hours in the afternoon and for two to two-and-a-half hours in the evening. We have half days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In the mornings we go into the water, on the boat. Then we also have ground work, which includes strength training and ergometer. We should not weigh more than 70kg each.
Arjun: I find the ergometer to be the toughest.
What does your diet look like?
Arvind: We eat everything and take supplements given by the camp. But meetha bandh hai. We get parathas on Sunday and less of fried food.
Arjun: I miss the rotis my mother makes.
What are you expecting the Olympics to be like?
Arvind: This is our first Olympics. We had heard about it from a player who had gone in 2016. Hamare saab batate rehta hain ke kaafi achcha mahol milega. There will be different cuisines. We want to achieve the best position. Uske baad thoda ghumenge and enjoy karenge.
Arvind, tell us about your understanding with Arjun...
We met in 2017 and used to discuss about making a team in future in the lightweight category and became good friends. We started playing together in 2018. Our performance took us to the Asian Games and won golds in the national games. He looks after me. Bhai se bhi zyadaa karta hai.
What about you Arjun?
If I point out his mistakes, he admits to them.
How do you unwind?
Arjun: We like to sleep and listen to music.
Arvind is a Sunny Deol fan Sourced by the correspondent
Who are your favourite movie stars?
Arjun: I like to listen to Rajasthani songs. Movie dekhta hoon toh neend aa jaati hai.
Arvind: I love watching films like Chak De! India and am a fan of Sunny Deol. Sometimes I put on a Hindi song, put my headphones on, close my eyes and focus on my game.
Both Arjun and Arvind would love to travel to Switzerland Sourced by the correspondent
Which country do you wish to travel to?
Arvind and Arjun: Switzerland!
What are your top tips for the youngsters reading this?
Arvind: If you want to be a great sportsman, set realistic goals. Follow up with hard work.
Arjun: Mera kehna hain ki kheloge kudoge toh banoge mahaan.
Tips for youngsters
What are your top tips for the youngsters reading this?
Arvind: If you want to be a great sportsman, set realistic goals. Follow up with hard work.
Arjun: Mera kehna hain ki kheloge kudoge toh banoge mahaan.
