SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
“Family, Grit, and Asian Games: Aditi’s Unstoppable Journey!”
In the crucible of the Asian Games, Aditi Ashok faces a pivotal choice – which parent will carry her bag? The 25-year-old, who narrowly missed an Olympic medal, had her vibrant mother Maheshwari as her caddie in Tokyo. Reflecting on the experience, Ashok declared, “Tokyo 2020 was a defining moment, with my mom by my side, making it an unforgettable journey.”
Since Ashok was seven, both her parents have taken turns as her caddie. They were there in 2016 when, as a teenager, she first shot to fame by winning the Women’s Indian Open. At 16, she was the youngest player at the Rio Olympics, with her father guiding her.
Ashok’s Tokyo performance, where she held a silver-medal position for the first three rounds before narrowly missing the podium, firmly established women’s golf on India’s sporting landscape. However, Ashok remains resolutely focused on the process, valuing it more than the outcome.
Having secured her fourth European Tour win in Kenya earlier this year, Ashok now ranks in the world’s top 50. She describes this season as the zenith of her career, attributing it not to any one week in particular, but to her consistent performance on both tours and breaking into the top 50.
Ashok pointed out the distinct styles her parents bring to the course. “My dad and I often deliberate on shot selection, given his intimate knowledge of my game,” she disclosed. “My mom, while not as involved in on-course decision-making, instills a sense of decisiveness and calmness in my play when she’s on my bag.”
Golf has been a cornerstone of Ashok’s family dynamics. She took up the sport at the age of five in Bengaluru, India, where she was raised. While golf is central to their relationship, Ashok has worked to establish boundaries between her personal and professional life off the course.
As for the Asian Games, Ashok is keeping her cards close to her chest regarding who will be carrying her bag. She expressed eagerness for the competition, emphasizing that she approaches it without any specific expectations, as she believes it doesn’t usually enhance performance.
Ashok’s Olympic achievements have propelled women’s golf into the limelight in India, a sport that was relatively obscure before her successes. She hopes that with more men and women playing the sport professionally, golf will continue to gain prominence in India, a nation traditionally dominated by cricket.
