On a golf course, it is very easy to spot the 41-year-old Digvijay Singh. Always dressed in colourful attire and surrounded by acquaintances, the Gurgaon-based golfer is an affable personality.
Tall, stylish and witty, but the most striking quality of his outgoing personality is the list of sports that he pursues. Digvijay is an adrenaline junkie, who derives thrill from adventure sport such as skydiving — so far, he has done it a whopping 69 times!
Not only that, he loves scuba diving, biking, swimming and is a 300m air rifle shooter, and has competed twice in the national shooting championships.
Currently, he is undergoing training for para-motor foot launch with the Flyboys Club in Westin, Sohna.
Digvijay, commonly referred to as Diggy on the golfing circuit, explains, “Unlike tennis or cricket, golf is a slow-moving sport where you get a lot of time to think. And that might be the reason I got attracted to adventure sport where I won’t have a second to think. So, let me put it this way — golf is my life, my obsession... but all the other things I do are my passion. Also I always wanted to become a fighter pilot, but could not pursue it due to weak eyesight. And the first time I went skydiving in 2008, I fell in love with it. It was scintillating! Everyone has a dream to fly and I was lucky to get an opportunity. I think the fear of the unknown was the pulling force,” Digvijay said, adding that his first jump was with the Indian Naval team at a camp in Hissar, Haryana.
Digvijay is a ‘B’ license holder (given to one over 55 jumps) in skydiving free-falling, but says, “It is just the beginning. I have also taken my parents and wife Chitra Sarwara for skydiving and they went crazy. Chitra in fact has done four to five jumps now.”
Digvijay’s partner-in-crime on most such adventures is his brother-in-law, friend and golfer Jyoti Randhawa. “Jyoti has been doing almost everything that I am into. In fact, I had introduced him to scuba diving and he just loves it,” he says.
Brother of Bollywood actor Chitrangada Singh, Digvijay admits that he is a movie buff and an Amitabh Bachchan fan. “I have seen almost all his (Amitabh) movies and know a few of his dialogues by heart,” he says with a laugh, adding, “Also, we make it a point to watch Tina’s (Chitrangada’s nickname) movies before she asks us! I also watch TV a lot, but you will never find me catching up on cricket. It is the most over-rated sport in the country.”
Asked about his love for colours, he says, “I am not a grey person. I love colours... preferably red. It’s nice to look vibrant, it sets the mood. It gives you that kick to remain active. I can wear anything that looks good.” With his hectic schedules hardly allowing him breathing space, Divijay says he is spending all his free time with 14-month-old daughter Ameerah. “I am a happy-go-lucky person. I don’t take things seriously unless it is a necessity. While playing, I am ready to learn from my mistakes and at home, I am trying to be a good father,” said the golfer.