Badminton

Indian Badminton Contingent Primed for Paris Olympics GloryAs the Paris Olympics draw near, India's badminton contingent is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage. Led by two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, the "super seven" Indian shuttlers are ready to showcase their skills at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.PV Sindhu: Aiming for a Third MedalPV Sindhu, India's most decorated badminton player, carries the weight of expectations as she seeks to add to her Olympic medal tally. Despite recent injuries, Sindhu remains a formidable force, having won the Commonwealth Games title in 2022. She will face a tough test in the pre-quarterfinals against world No. 8 He Bing Jiao of China.Satwik-Chirag: Medal Favorites in Men's DoublesSatwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, known as Satwik-Chirag, are the favorites to earn India a medal in men's doubles. The duo has been in exceptional form, winning multiple titles and reaching the world No. 3 ranking. They will aim to replicate their success from the Tokyo Olympics, where they defeated the eventual champions.Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy: Battling for a Quarterfinal BerthIn men's singles, India will be represented by Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy. However, only one of them will advance to the quarterfinals due to an unfortunate draw. Prannoy is likely to top his group, while Sen faces a challenging task against world No. 3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto: Underdogs in Women's DoublesAshwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will represent India in women's doubles. They face a daunting task in their group, which includes world No. 4 Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida of Japan and 2023 All England champions Kim So-yeong/Kong Hee-yong of South Korea.ConclusionIndia's badminton contingent is ready to make a mark at the Paris Olympics. With a mix of experience and rising stars, the "super seven" shuttlers have the potential to bring home medals and add to India's sporting legacy.

PV Sindhu's mentor, Prakash Padukone, believes India has a strong chance of winning three badminton medals at the Paris Olympics, including a historic hat-trick for Sindhu. India's seven-member badminton squad includes Sindhu, the high-flying men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and other promising players.Padukone is confident in Sindhu's ability to secure her third consecutive Olympic medal. "She has worked incredibly hard for that," he said. "Her preparations have gone well, and she is playing well in practice sessions."Padukone has been focusing on improving Sindhu's tactics and strategy on the court. "I am focusing on tactics and strategy on the court, on what strokes to use when, and a little to do with the mind," he explained. "We've worked on her mental strength and strategy, ensuring she makes better use of the right strokes."Despite Sindhu's lack of titles this year, Padukone believes her ability to perform under pressure will be an asset at the Olympics. "Expectations are lower, and even reaching the quarterfinals will be seen positively," he said. "But I am looking beyond that. If she is able to reproduce the form, like what she's doing in practice, I think she'll do better than in past tournaments."Padukone also identified Rankireddy and Shetty in men's doubles, Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy in men's singles as potential medal contenders. "We have a chance in all three events: men's singles, women's singles, and men's doubles," he said. "The men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been very consistent and have beaten top players."Badminton matches at the Paris Olympics will begin on Saturday, July 27. India's strong squad and Padukone's guidance give them a realistic chance of achieving their medal goals.

PV Sindhu, India's two-time Olympic medalist, is considered an "underdog" for the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to former Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap. However, Kashyap emphasizes that Sindhu's reputation and big-match experience will make opponents wary of her.Despite not being in top form since recovering from a knee injury, Sindhu's Olympic pedigree and past achievements give her an edge. Kashyap believes that opponents will be cautious when facing her, even if her recent form suggests otherwise.Since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Sindhu has faced challenges with injuries and inconsistent performances. However, Kashyap highlights her attacking style and fitness level as strengths that make her a formidable opponent in major events.In the men's singles category, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are considered title contenders for India. Kashyap believes their success in the Asian Games, Asian Championships, and World Championships makes them one of the favorites for the gold medal.Their main competitors are expected to be the Chinese and Korean pairs. Kashyap notes that the Chinese pair has recently defeated Satwik-Chirag, while the Koreans have also posed a challenge.HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen are seen as "dark horses" in the men's singles draw. Kashyap praises Lakshya's performance in the All-England final and his qualification for the Olympics despite a tough period. He also highlights Prannoy's multiple Super Series wins and medal-winning performances in the World Championships and Asian Games.Both Prannoy and Lakshya have proven their ability to perform under pressure, especially in big matches. Kashyap believes they have the potential to upset higher-ranked opponents and progress in the tournament.

PV Sindhu, India's badminton ace, is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic medal at the Paris Games. Her unwavering determination is evident in her rigorous training regimen, which includes innovative techniques and a diverse range of sparring partners.To simulate the high-altitude conditions of Paris, Sindhu created a hypoxic chamber in her room in Germany, where she slept for several days. This technique helps her body adapt to the reduced oxygen levels, enhancing her performance at higher altitudes.Sindhu has also honed her strokes and improved her consistency during long rallies under the guidance of her mentor, Prakash Padukone. She emphasizes the importance of playing the right stroke at the right time, a skill she has developed through sparring with players of varying styles.In Germany, Sindhu trained with left-handed players, attacking players, and even two opponents simultaneously. This diverse training environment has equipped her to handle different playing styles and adapt quickly to changing conditions.Sindhu's journey to the Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In Rio 2016, she was an underdog, while in Tokyo 2020, she carried the weight of expectations. Now, in Paris, she aims to strike a balance between the two, hoping for a podium finish that would cement her legacy as India's greatest athlete.

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.

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy have been drawn into favorable groups for the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 26.Sindhu, the reigning world champion, has been seeded 10th and placed in Group M of the women's singles event. She will face Kristin Kuuba of Estonia (WR 75) and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq of Maldives (WR 111) in the group stage. While Sindhu's group appears relatively straightforward, she could potentially encounter China's sixth seed He Bing Jiao in the round of 16. Should she overcome Jiao, Sindhu may face Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China in the quarterfinals.Meanwhile, Prannoy, who will be making his Olympic debut, has been seeded 13th and drawn into Group K of the men's singles event. He will face Le Duc Phat of Vietnam (WR 70) and Fabian Roth of Germany (WR 82) in the group stage. The second Indian in the men's singles, Lakshya Sen, ranked 19, has been placed in Group L. He will face third seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, Kevin Cordon of Guatemala (WR 41), and Julien Carragi of Belgium (WR 52) in his group.In the women's doubles event, the Indian pairing of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa has been drawn into a challenging Group C. They will face world number 4 Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida of Japan, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong of South Korea (WR 7), and Australians Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu (WR 27).The star Indian men's pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded third in the men's doubles event, will have their draw postponed due to a Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) hearing over the number of pairs in the draw. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is yet to confirm the date of the draw.The badminton events at the Olympics will commence on July 27.

PV Sindhu, India's badminton ace, will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, while Gagan Narang, a London Olympic bronze medalist in shooting, has been appointed as India's Chef-de-Mission.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, PT Usha, announced these decisions on Monday. Narang's elevation from deputy Chef-de-Mission to the top position was an automatic choice after Mary Kom's resignation."I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent, and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom," Usha said in a press release.Usha also confirmed that table tennis star Sharath Kamal and Sindhu will be India's flag-bearers at the Paris Games."I am also delighted to announce that India's only woman to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, as the female flag-bearer alongside table tennis ace Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony," Usha added.Sindhu, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, is India's most successful female Olympian. She is currently ranked seventh in the world in women's singles.Kamal, on the other hand, is a four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist and a former world number one in men's doubles. He is currently ranked 33rd in the world in men's singles.Narang, a former world champion in shooting, won a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle event at the London Olympics. He is currently the president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).Usha expressed confidence that India's athletes are well-prepared for the Paris Olympics. "I am confident that our athletes are well prepared to deliver the best results for India in Paris 2024 Olympic Games," she said.

PV Sindhu's Singapore Open campaign came to an end on Thursday as she suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Carolina Marin in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals. The Indian shuttler, fresh from her runner-up finish at the Thailand Open, took the opening game against her Rio Olympics final nemesis, but the Spaniard bounced back to win 21-13 11-21 20-22 in a thrilling one-hour, eight-minute battle.Sindhu, facing Marin for the first time in seven months after their heated Denmark Open semifinal clash, started strongly, reeling off five successive points to take the opening game. However, the Spaniard, ranked third in the world, responded with a dominant second game, winning six points on the trot to take a 17-7 lead and eventually level the match.The decider was a tense affair, with Sindhu maintaining a narrow lead throughout. However, Marin, known for her resilience and fighting spirit, made a stunning comeback, winning the final four points to seal her 12th career win from 17th matches against the Indian.Sindhu's defeat marks the end of her Singapore Open campaign, but she will take heart from her strong performance in the opening game and her overall form in recent weeks. The Indian shuttler has been in impressive form since the start of the year, reaching the semifinals of the All England Open and the finals of the Thailand Open.Marin, meanwhile, will be confident heading into the quarterfinals, where she will face Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong. The Spaniard is a two-time Olympic medalist and a three-time world champion, and she will be looking to add to her impressive trophy cabinet in Singapore.

India's badminton ace PV Sindhu will lead the Indian contingent at the Singapore Badminton Open 2024 BWF Super 750 tournament, aiming to break her title drought in Singapore after her recent triumph at the Malaysia Masters. Sindhu will be joined by India's top-ranked men's doubles pair, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who will be seeking their third title of the season after victories at the French and Thailand Open.The Singapore Badminton Open 2024 will feature a star-studded lineup, headlined by reigning Olympic singles champions Viktor Axelsen and Chen Yufei. Axelsen, the world No. 1, will be looking to build on his momentum after winning the Malaysia Masters men's singles title. He will face India's Lakshya Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, in his opening match.Tenth-ranked Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia will be aiming for a hat-trick of finals after reaching the title deciders in Thailand and Malaysia this month. Two-time defending Singapore Open men's singles champion Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia will be the seventh seed, while his compatriot Jonatan Christie, the reigning All England champion, is seeded third.The home challenge will be led by former world champion Loh Kean Yew, who will face China's Lu Guangzu in his opening match. In the women's singles, reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei and Rio 2016 gold medalist Carolina Marin are seeded second and third, respectively.China's Wang Zhiyi, who defeated Sindhu to win the Malaysia Masters title last week, will be the seventh seed. In women's doubles, Tokyo 2020 silver medal winners Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China are the No. 1 seeds.The Singapore Badminton Open 2024 promises to be a thrilling tournament with a world-class field of players. Sindhu, Axelsen, and Chen will be among the favorites to win their respective titles, but they will face stiff competition from a host of other top players.