Shikhar Suman Bassi

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Shikhar Bassi Centre of Sports Science and Athletic Prowess

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I have been running my Centre of Sports Science and Athletic Prowess at the Squash and Badminton Stadium, Siri Fort, New Delhi. As an exercise physiologist I work with athletes and non-athletes in the areas of sports performance, injury rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I have been in love with sport right from my early childhood. It was tough to keep me indoors. I would spend all my day playing one sport or the other. I found it very fascinating to watch female and male athletes push their bodies’ mental and physical capacities to absolute limits and excel under immense pressure. I find it very exciting to see how exercise and nutrition can make a significant difference to health, and athletic performance. At around 15 years of age I decided to study sports science and my love and curiosity for the subject continues to grow.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was part of Asian Society, the Sports Volunteering Scheme and Photography Society.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I had an amazing time studying M.Sc. in Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter. It gave me an all-round practical and theoretical experience. It empowered me with the skills to become a better researcher, analyse, and evaluate past and new research, and form evidence-based methods to help people in their day-to-day and athletic lives.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The whole environment of learning, availability of literary resources, the practical experience of working and learning in the laboratories, and the beautiful green campus to walk through; it was all a delight to be a part if it.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I really liked the structure of the Master’s program. Also, the University’s strong history and reputation in sports science and human performance were the most significant reasons for me to study and Exeter.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Researching; learning theoretical and practical concepts from the past, learning new methods in sports science and applying them to my clients at my centre.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Do the hard work. Use the abundant offline and online resources to learn to the best of your abilities. The faculty at the University of Exeter are extraordinary and always willing to help. So, stay curious and have an appetite for knowledge and learning.

What are your plans for the future?

Keep doing what I am doing at my centre of sports science and athletic prowess and help more and more people towards their goals.