When the news of Arjuna Award nominations were announced on Monday afternoon, a tense Rupesh Shah was glued to his television set. With two world billiards championship titles in his kitty and the Asian crown clinched earlier this year, Shah was sure his name would figure among the elite athletes.
“I was really tense as the channels only flashed news of Virat Kohli and P.V. Sindhu in line for the awards. I knew I had a strong chance but I was really nervous as the list was not shown immediately,” Shah said from Ahmedabad.
When it was eventually announced that Shah was among those recommended, he was flooded with messages.
“Geet bhai (Sethi) sent me a text saying I deserve this award. It is the message I treasure the most. He has been my idol and his feats have inspired me. I would like to dedicate this award to him.”