Bhavya Ashok Thacker

The story

It began, as these things tend to in India, with cricket. I feel privileged to say that I was put into proper coaching, and with an SG kit. Shout out to Mom and Dad! Football turned up shortly after and I have loved it ever since. I used to play for Arya Football Club (AFC) in my hometown and played as a right back/CDM in a couple of tournaments. I was introduced to Squash during my master's, and I have adored it ever since. Swimming I picked up as a child, in a lake back home.

These days I love running long distances, swimming, and climbing, my latest obsession. After all these years of playing and following, I've realised one thing: loving a sport and being good at it are two completely different things. Haha, but hey, we try our best.

What I play and follow

• Football

  My three go to clubs: Arya Football Club (AFC), FC Barcelona, and Manchester United (listen to Take Me Home, United Road and Stretford End Arising). When I get the chance, I play right back. I like to defend, make long runs down the wing, and shoot into the D. Yeah, I like big balls.

• Skateboarding

  After a long wait, I finally got myself a Dankies skateboard! I can cruise and pull off a trick called bails. Look out for it!

• Running & swimming

  Learned to swim in Hamisar Lake back home; I started running later. Goal one: a marathon. Goal two: a triathlon. Eventually. I log my runs on Strava.

• Climbing

  Started on the wall at IIT Kanpur (shout out to my coach, Mr. Pushpendra Singh). Now obsessed with the sport, and I want to climb every rock I see on the street.

• Chess

  Haha, nerd spotted. Trying to improve my game, and I sometimes watch Agadmator.