Badminton

Indian Paralympians Shine in Paris, Badminton Star Sivarajan Solaimalai ImpressesThe Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics has made a strong start, returning with four medals on Friday. While not all athletes have secured podium finishes, many have showcased exceptional performances, including badminton star Sivarajan Solaimalai.In a men's singles SH6 group play stage match against Hong Kong's Man Kai Chu, Solaimalai displayed remarkable skill and determination. A video of the match has gone viral, capturing the duo's intense rally and awe-inspiring shots.Indian para shuttlers have performed exceptionally well on Day 3 of the Paralympic Badminton event, with several advancing to the next stages. In the men's SL3 category, Kumar Nitesh dominated China's Yang Jianyuan, securing a straight-sets victory. Suhas L Yathiraj also impressed in the SL4 category, defeating Korea's Shin Kyung Hwan in a thrilling match.The women's category has also seen strong performances. Thulsimathi Murugesan and Nithya Sre both booked their spots in the semifinals with impressive victories. However, Mansi Joshi, Manoj Sarkar, and Palak Kohli faced tough opponents and were unable to advance.Despite these setbacks, India's athletes remain focused and determined. This year's contingent is the largest ever, with 84 athletes competing across 12 sports. India aims to surpass its previous achievements in Tokyo, where it won 19 medals, including five golds.

Keerthana Sai Nalla, a 26-year-old Indian badminton enthusiast, has altered her plans to witness the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite securing a new job in Germany and wanting to return home before starting it, her passion for badminton and the allure of watching PV Sindhu's historic Olympic quest have compelled her to extend her stay in Paris.Nalla's love for badminton has been a constant throughout her life, despite her family's frequent relocations due to her father's military service. She has been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness the sport live at the Olympics, particularly the performances of the Indian men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.Sindhu, a double Olympic medalist and Nalla's all-time favorite sportsperson, is aiming for a record third Olympic medal, a feat no Indian has ever achieved. Nalla is determined to witness Sindhu's journey and has purchased tickets for the badminton matches."This is my best chance to watch Sindhu in action at the Olympics, so I am going to be around till the badminton games are done," said Nalla, who attended the Games live at Arena Porte de La Chapelle in Paris on Sunday.The Indian pair of Satwik and Chirag's victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in straight games further solidified Nalla's decision to stay back. "Badminton is my highlight at the Olympics, I really love that game," she added.Nalla is actively monitoring the Paris 2024 official ticket resale website for tickets to the women's singles semi-finals, where she expects Sindhu to reach. Her unwavering passion for badminton and the opportunity to witness history unfold have made her sacrifice her original plans and embrace the unforgettable experience of the Paris Olympics.

Prakash Padukone, the legendary Indian badminton player, is relishing the vibrant atmosphere of the Paris Olympics Village. As part of PV Sindhu's coaching team, Padukone is sharing the space with some of the biggest names in sports, including Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.Padukone's role in Team Sindhu is primarily tactical. While Agus Dwi Santoso focuses on enhancing Sindhu's stroke power and variety, Padukone guides her on the strategic deployment of those strokes. He emphasizes the importance of using the right strokes at the right time, a skill he honed during his illustrious career.Padukone's association with Sindhu began last year as a mentor. He has since accompanied her to several tournaments, aiming to restore her confidence and rediscover her winning ways. While Sindhu has shown glimpses of her former brilliance, Padukone acknowledges the challenges of transforming her game in a short period.Despite the time constraints, Padukone is confident in Sindhu's ability to contend for a medal in Paris. He believes her big-match mentality and unwavering focus on peaking at the right time will serve her well. Sindhu's impressive medal haul at major tournaments, including silver at the 2016 Rio Games and bronze in Tokyo, further bolsters Padukone's optimism.Padukone's presence in the Village is a testament to his enduring passion for badminton. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience with Sindhu and help her achieve her Olympic dreams. The camaraderie and shared experiences within the Village are also a source of inspiration for Padukone, who is embracing the spirit of the Games.

Indian Badminton Contingent Arrives in Paris for 2024 Olympics, Medal Hopes HighThe Indian badminton contingent, including star players PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty, has arrived at the Olympic Village in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics. The opening ceremony for the Games is scheduled for July 26, with the badminton events commencing on July 27.India has high hopes for a medal in badminton, having won medals in the past three consecutive Olympics. Saina Nehwal became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal with a bronze at London 2012. PV Sindhu followed with a silver at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020.Rankireddy and Shetty are among the top medal contenders in the men's doubles event. They have come to Paris on strong footing, having established themselves as one of the leading pairs in the world.The Olympic Village provides athletes with a unique opportunity to interact with international superstars from various sports. Rankireddy took advantage of this by getting a photograph with Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. "With the beast," he captioned the photo on his Instagram story.At the Tokyo Olympics, Shetty had a similar encounter with Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic. However, luck seemed to elude Indian athletes who took pictures with Djokovic, as both Shetty and Rankireddy were knocked out in the group stage of their respective events.India will be hoping for a change of fortune in Paris, with Sindhu, Prannoy, Rankireddy, and Shetty all aiming to make history and bring home a medal for their country.

India's badminton legacy at the Olympics has been built on the shoulders of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, who have won medals in each of the last three Games. However, as Sindhu prepares for her third Olympic medal in Paris, the baton may have already been passed to two young men: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.Despite a disappointing group stage exit in Tokyo 2020, Satwik-Chirag have emerged as one of India's brightest medal prospects for Paris 2024. Ranked third in the world, the duo has achieved remarkable success since Tokyo.They played a pivotal role in India's historic Thomas Cup triumph, becoming the first Indian doubles pair to win the prestigious title. Their dominance continued at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where they clinched gold in the Men's Doubles event.In October 2023, Satwik-Chirag reached the pinnacle of their careers by becoming the first Indian doubles pair to be ranked world no. 1. This achievement earned them the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award at the end of the year.Their physical attributes give them a significant advantage on the court. Both men stand over 6'0" tall, allowing them to deliver powerful smashes. Satwik, in particular, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton smash at 565 km/h.Satwik-Chirag have consistently reached the final stages of tournaments, including three finals in 2024 alone. Their impressive form and world ranking make them one of the favorites to win the men's doubles gold in Paris.With Sindhu aiming for a third Olympic medal and Satwik-Chirag in top form, India is poised to continue its badminton success in Paris. The duo's achievements and potential suggest that they are ready to carry forward the legacy established by Nehwal and Sindhu.

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."

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has extended financial support to Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen and other elite athletes in their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Lakshya Sen, who will represent India in the men's singles event in Paris, will undergo a 12-day training stint in Marseille, France, from July 8 to 21. The training session will be held at The Halle des Sports Parsemain, where Sen will work with his coach and support staff.MOC has also approved double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu's proposal to train in Saarbrucken, Germany, for over a month. Sindhu will train at the Hermann-Neuberger Sportschule with her coach and support staff before heading to Paris.Under the Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), MOC has sanctioned funding for the athletes' airfare, boarding/lodging costs, local transportation charges, Visa Fees, and shuttlecock expenses.In addition to Sen and Sindhu, MOC has approved support for other athletes, including table tennis player Sreeja Akula, archer Tisha Punia, golfer Aditi Ashok, and swimmer Aryan Nehra. TOPS will fund their airfare, accommodation, local transportation, equipment (for Akula and Nehra), and caddy fee (for Ashok).MOC has also expanded its TOPS Core group by including table tennis player Harmeet Desai and the Women's 4x400 Relay Team. Wrestlers Nisha (68kg) and Reetika (76kg) have been promoted to the Core group.Furthermore, promising golfer Kartik Singh has been inducted into TOPS Development, with a focus on the 2028 and 2032 Olympics in Los Angeles and Brisbane, respectively.These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting elite athletes in their pursuit of Olympic glory. The financial assistance and training opportunities provided by MOC will enable these athletes to optimize their preparations and strive for success at the highest level.