Looking to climb a fresh peak
UPBEAT Although shuttlers haven’t had a great build-up, medal prospects remain high
The bronze in London four years ago proved historic in more ways than one. Not only did it give the country a new female sporting icon, it also took the sport to new heights. In the four years since, India has seen a fresh crop of shuttlers make their mark, at the world championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games along with Super Series titles.
It’s come to a point where badminton is one of India’s best bets at Rio, with the contingent of seven – the country’s biggest ever – expected to bring back at least one, if not three, medals.
But with many in the squad in less than stellar form, the burden of expectations could prove to be a proverbial doubleedged sword. It is even more for the one who started it all. THIRD GAMES Saina Nehwal, the 26-yearold veteran of two Olympic Games, became the world No 1 in April last year, the first Indian woman to reach the summit. The rest of Saina’s season however was plagued by injuries – the nastiest an Achilles injury sustained at the end of last year.
This year, it has all been about countering the threat posed by the Chinese, defending champion Li Xuerui and London silver medallist Wang Yihan, as well as Spanish world No 1 Carolina Marin. After registering semifinal finishes at the India Open, Malaysia Open and the Badminton Asia Championships, she had to settle for bronze at the Asian Championships and lost in the quarterfinals at the Indonesia Open Super Series.
The shot in the arm came last month in Sydney. Just when questions were being asked of her physical and mental strength, Saina won the Australian Super Series, defeating Thai world No. 4 Ratchanok Intanon and Wang in her run to the title.
By her own admission, the win would have had a bigger effect if it was one week before the Olympics. The eight-week gap has given all players time to prepare and return stronger. STRUGGLING SINDHU A lot has happened since London for India’s other top player too. PV Sindhu was 16 and ranked 25 in the world then. Since then the Hyderabad girl became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Championships and won six GP titles – the last one in January at the Malaysia Masters.
Unfortunately for India, Sindhu’s form has been patchy since then, thanks to a string of early losses, the latest being the first round exit at the Australian Open. While the 21-year-old has picked up wins over the likes of Yihan, Xuerui and Marin, she has often lost out against lowerranked opponents.
The world No 10, however, believes it’s anybody’s game at Rio.
“Everybody’s at the same level, and one match doesn’t make a difference. It’s not that only a player from one country can win. Japan, Taipei players are all doing well. Everybody will come back and will change their game accordingly. It all depends on how they handle pressure on the day,” said Sindhu.
Is she prepared to handle the pressure of her first Olympics?
“I don’t think there’s any point in taking extra pressure,” Sindhu asserted. “An Olympic medal is the ultimate goal for anyone. But you are playing against the same girls. All you have to do is focus on each point, each game. It is a big event, but you need to remain patient and play your natural game.”
Also set to make his Olympic bow is Kidambi Srikanth, India’s top-ranked men’s player. The world No 11 broke into the scene with a straight-sets win over Lin Dan two years ago. But much like Sindhu, Srikanth too is on a horrid run of form. After winning the Syed Modi International Grand Prix at the start of the year, he suffered five straight first-round defeats.
Srikanth too found some respite at the Australian Open, the semifinal appearance giving a semblance of life to his Olympic build-up.
National coach Pullela Gopichand, however, isn’t reading too much into the situation.
“I am not too concerned because the year of Olympic qualifications is quite tough,” says Gopichand. “You don’t get enough time to rest and recuperate because the focus is on securing more points. Srikanth’s performance has actually improved after he secured the Rio berth. Sindhu has delivered in the World Championships and Asian Games, so I’m sure they will do well.”
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa have had their own troubles. The pair had to give up on their Canada Open title defence midway last month after Ponnappa came down with viral fever. With Gutta 32, and Ashwini 26, this could be the last Olympics for the seasoned pair. Their chances, however, have been slightly bolstered after China withdrew the defending women’s doubles champions — Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei.
“Last time Sania went in with a chance. But this year, we go in with multiple chances. We have done well to qualify in both doubles. And with a much smaller draw, it all boils down to a couple of good matches. I have seen stranger things happen because of pressure,” Gopichand added.