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UPBEAT Although shuttlers haven’t had a great build-up, medal prospects remain high

NEW DELHI: 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 double-edged sword. It is even more for the one who started it all.

THIRD GAMES

Saina Nehwal, the 26-year-old 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