Badminton

Sharath Kamal, India's veteran table tennis star, is preparing for his fifth and final Olympic Games in Paris. At 42, he recognizes the importance of staying sharp and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. To achieve this, he has enlisted the help of German coach Chris Pfeiffer and his younger brother, Rajath Kamal.Chris, who previously coached the German under-21 national team, emphasizes the need for Sharath to improve his backhand. "At your age, it's hard to cover the whole table with just your forehand," he says. "So we have to work on your backhand, make that our goal for the Olympics."Sharath acknowledges the value of Chris's guidance. "I need somebody to keep pushing me, getting me out of my comfort zone. Chris is that guy. To keep moving and to stay active is the German way."Rajath, a former player turned performance analyst, provides Sharath with technical insights and helps him break down old habits. "Since I've been playing the game for a long time, certain old habits linger," says Sharath. "But the game has changed. So, he sits down with videos of my play, breaks down those old habits and says 'okay we can't be doing that any longer'."The sibling dynamics between Sharath and Rajath can sometimes be challenging. "Obviously Rajath has a lot of respect for me as a player," says Sharath. "But I want him to tell me what he really thinks."Despite the occasional sibling rivalry, Rajath's calm demeanor helps Sharath stay focused. "What's best about him is he's really calm, so it also helps me stay calm when he's around," says Sharath.Chris and Rajath will both be by Sharath's side in Paris. Chris admires Sharath's dedication and perseverance. "For an athlete of his age to push himself toward a fresh goal is just so inspiring to watch," he says. "I can't say there are too many like him."

PV Sindhu, India's badminton icon, is determined to make history at the upcoming Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win an unprecedented third individual Olympic medal. Having already secured a silver in Rio 2016 and a bronze in Tokyo 2020, Sindhu is laser-focused on capturing the elusive gold in Paris.In an exclusive interview with JioCinema's 'The Dreamers,' Sindhu expressed her unwavering motivation to achieve this historic feat. "That third medal at Paris definitely motivates me, and I am going all-out to get that gold medal. For me, the Olympics is where I give my 200%," she said.Sindhu's journey to the Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. She draws inspiration from her past experiences, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead. "There are a lot of experiences from my previous outings at the Olympics that I will take into Paris 2024, but I don't want to get overconfident thinking about the medals," she said.The Indian star understands the intense competition she will face in Paris. "The Olympics is extremely competitive, and all the athletes are at their peak. The top 10-15 players in the world are of the same standard," she said.Despite the formidable competition, Sindhu remains confident in her abilities. "My mindset is focused on winning the gold and this gives me a lot of motivation and confidence," she said.Sindhu's preparation for Paris is meticulous and comprehensive. "My preparations are focused on putting in the hard work while being smart and focused on that particular day," she said.She is fortunate to have the guidance of badminton legend Prakash Padukone as her mentor. "This time, we have a whole new team with Prakash (Padukone) sir as my mentor and Agus (Dwi Santoso) as the new coach. Our practice is focused at getting everything perfect and to the point," she said.Sindhu's illustrious career has been adorned with numerous accolades, including five BWF World Championship medals, an Olympic silver and bronze, and multiple Commonwealth Games medals. She is determined to add to her legacy by etching her name in the annals of Olympic history.

Seasoned Indian badminton player H.S. Prannoy is determined to overcome a series of health setbacks and make his Olympic debut in Paris later this month. Despite battling a chronic stomach disorder, a nagging back injury, and a recent bout of chikungunya, Prannoy remains focused on building his stamina and preparing for the challenges ahead.Under the guidance of his coach, former player RMV Gurusaidutt, Prannoy has implemented specific drills to address his minor issues, particularly related to speed and endurance. Gurusaidutt believes that Prannoy's ability to step up on big occasions will serve him well in Paris.Despite facing six first-round exits and only one semifinal and one quarterfinal appearance this year due to his health issues, Prannoy has persevered. Gurusaidutt emphasizes the importance of flexibility and unpredictability in Prannoy's game, as well as the need to counter opponents' attacks while avoiding becoming too defensive.Prannoy himself aims to approach the Olympics with a relaxed mindset, focusing on enjoying the experience and treating it as just another tournament in his career. He believes that getting back to basics and simplifying his approach will help him perform at his best.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, India's top-ranked men's doubles badminton pair, are poised to make a strong bid for an Olympic medal at the upcoming Paris Games. The duo, who have consistently performed at the highest level in recent years, are confident in their ability to handle the pressure of expectations."We take it as a responsibility to make the Indian flag fly high at the Olympics," said Rankireddy. "We will work hard to achieve that."Shetty echoed his partner's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of channeling the pressure positively. "Pressure is there, but we view it positively," he said.Rankireddy and Shetty's Olympic aspirations are fueled by their impressive track record. In 2022, they became the first Indian men's doubles pair to achieve the world number one ranking. They also won bronze at the BWF World Championships and gold at the Asian Games.Their Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 was a memorable experience, despite not reaching the podium. "Competing in Tokyo and realizing we were among the world's best athletes was an incredible feeling," said Shetty.Rankireddy revealed a unique pre-match ritual involving Tokyo 2020 gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. "I consider him a lucky charm, so I made sure to shake hands with him before every match," he said.The duo's parents have been a constant source of support throughout their journey. "For them, I am still a child, not an internationally acclaimed player," said Rankireddy. "They see me as they did 10 years ago."Currently ranked third in the world, Rankireddy and Shetty are serious contenders for a medal in Paris. Their recent achievements, including gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, have further boosted their confidence.As they prepare for the biggest stage in sports, Rankireddy and Shetty are determined to make their country proud. "We are well equipped to handle the pressure," said Rankireddy. "We are confident in our abilities and will give it our all."