Aishwarya Pissay has been something of a trailblazer, finding ways to thrive in a male-dominated sport through passion, determination and hard work. The off-road runner has an indomitable spirit, and she is now back blazing the trails after fracturing both her wrists in a racing accident last year.
Last month, he rode in the Baja Aragón, the fourth race of the FIM Bajas World Cup, and finished in 47th place. Overcoming mental obstacles, he says, was important in regaining the confidence and enthusiasm to make an impact.
Aishwarya talks with sports star about her career in Spain, the mental challenges after injury, the increased participation of women in motorsport and more.
what
Baja Aragón was his first World Cup date this season after the wrist injury. How was the experience of running after a gap? Did you meet your expectations with your performance?
Yes, Baja Aragón was the first race after my accident last year. It has not been an easy journey. It has been an uphill task, not only because of my physical disability but also because I had to deal with mental blocks that one has to deal with after an injury. I entered the race with the goal of learning more about the terrain, as well as the whole experience of the race. But I was confident with all the training I had put in before the race.
I was spending more time training in Europe with my coach Mika (Metge) in France and Jordi (Grau) in Spain, to prepare for international races. This was my third participation in Baja Aragón and by far my best position in the overall results. It was my strongest performance in an international career. It was great.
what
Off-road racing presents a risk of serious injury. What are some of the challenges, mental and otherwise, in preparing for peak performance? A bad accident or injury can leave a mental scar, if only for a short time. Do you train your mind not to let it affect your career?
Yes. Mental fitness and psychology are a crucial part of my recovery and regular training. Yes, I went through mental blocks and obstacles while coming back from injury, but having my coach Mon by my side to navigate through all these challenges helped me regain my confidence after the accident. But I think it’s important to pay attention to mental health, especially after an accident. I think as athletes we don’t pay as much attention to the mental aspect but focus only on skill and physical ability.
So yes, mental fitness has played an essential role in me coming back as strong as I have.
what
Racing should be even more challenging in hot weather, especially now that the weather is palpably warming up. Europe has just suffered a strong heat wave. How do you stay properly hydrated during races?
For hydration, I follow a protocol that my nutrition team gave me. By the time I’m driving, [planning] the amount of water I need to drink in a typical day or the products I add to the water: that’s one way to stay hydrated. ultrahuman is another technology I use that helps me keep track of my food and energy levels during training, races, and recovery days. [It helps] In better understanding my diet, optimizing my nutrition and giving my 100 percent in my training and racing.
what
Since his first win at the National Championships, he has competed in India and abroad. Have you seen the talent pool of women grow in India? What are some of the steps the motorsports community can take to further enhance their involvement?
The participation of women in motor sports in India has been [increasing], because when I started I was the only girl who ran on the grid. But today I see the participation of at least 15 women in the TVS One Make championship. I think manufacturers stepping up to support women and giving them the opportunity to participate in an affordable space is a great start.
Grassroots level programs have started this year with the FIM Minibike series and women’s classes including in the rally championship. Here are some of the ways they have been supporting him. I think the Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of India is doing its part to grow women’s motor sport in every way possible at the moment.
what
You’ve talked about self-confidence being an acquired skill rather than an innate trait. It has helped you bounce back after setbacks. Can you explain the acquisition process, perhaps giving examples from your own career?
My career is a perfect example of someone who was an underdog with nothing but dreams and could make it come true. And definitely not someone who was born with self-confidence, but it was something he had to work hard at. But I think that’s probably [wisdom] it’s not very easy to find, or athletes don’t talk about it as much.
Every race I went to, every race I lost, every experience and learning I had from each of these races [contributed to my understanding]. After the hard work I started putting in when I was getting results, I realized that if you work hard and if you have a goal and focus, anything can be achieved. It’s also important to communicate with older riders, so you can understand more about their struggles. Through all of this, one thing I’ve learned is that you’re not born with it, but it’s something we can definitely work on and achieve.
what
What is the next tournament you will participate in and what are your goals for this season?
I am preparing for the National Championships in Bangalore this weekend. It’s round four of the Indian National Rally Championship, and I’m looking forward to finishing this Rally Championship season in India, as well as taking part in the Sprint Championship from September. I also hope to spend more months training internationally and participating in some more international events.
.
