Badminton

Puma Celebrates Indian Olympic Athletes with Mumbai Outdoor CampaignIn the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, sports goods giant Puma has launched an outdoor campaign in Mumbai to honor the achievements of Indian athletes. The campaign, titled "See the Game Like We Do," celebrates the feats of 45 Indian athletes who will represent Puma at the Games.Among the athletes featured in the campaign are badminton star PV Sindhu, javelin thrower Kishore Jena, and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Sindhu's powerful smash, Jena's record-breaking throw, and Sreejesh's exceptional goalkeeping skills are showcased through larger-than-life outdoor spectacles across the city.Sindhu's smash, which reaches speeds of 349 kmph, is three times faster than the speed of Mumbai's iconic Central Line train route. Her achievement is visualized on coaches of the local train, highlighting her exceptional speed and power.Jena's best throw of 87.54m is commemorated with his image on the facade of a similar-sized structure in Prabhadevi. The towering image represents the height and distance of his record-breaking throw.Sreejesh's agility and skill are showcased on a digital billboard on the Eastern Express Highway, connecting Mumbai and Thane. The billboard captures his ability to stop the fastest balls with ease, highlighting his crucial role in the Indian hockey team's success.In addition to the outdoor campaign, Puma will provide over 100 Indian athletes with podium and travel footwear, trolleys, backpacks, and other essential gear designed to enhance their training and comfort during the Paris Olympics."The IOA is deeply committed to enhancing India's medal prospects at the Paris Olympics, and such collaborations are a crucial step towards achieving that goal," said IOA president PT Usha.Puma's partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as their official footwear partner for the Olympics demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting Indian athletes and celebrating their achievements on the world stage.

Legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone will serve as a mentor to the 15-member Indian badminton squad at the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 26. Padukone, who became the first Indian to win the prestigious All England Championship, retired in 1991, just before badminton made its Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games.Padukone's inclusion in the Indian contingent is particularly significant for two players: Lakshya Sen and P.V. Sindhu. Sen is a product of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), while Sindhu announced Padukone as her mentor ahead of the Paris Games after relocating her training base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Sindhu is preparing for her third Olympic appearance.The Indian badminton squad will also be accompanied by a team of eight support staff, including coaches and physiotherapists. Pullela Gopichand, the national chief coach, will lead the coaching staff, which also includes RMV Gurusaidutt, Agus Santosa, Vimal Kumar, and Mathias Boe. Zeinia Samar and Kiran Challagundla will serve as the team's physiotherapists.Gopichand is responsible for overseeing the national badminton program, while Gurusaidutt has been training HS Prannoy. Boe is the coach of the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as well as the women's doubles combination of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto. Vimal Kumar, a former India coach, is currently training Lakshya Sen, while Agus has been training Sindhu in Bengaluru.Kiran Challagundla has been a long-time physiotherapist for the Indian badminton team, while Zeinia Samar recently joined Sindhu's camp after her move to Bengaluru in pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic medal.In the previous Olympics, Gopichand opted not to travel to Tokyo due to restrictions on the number of officials accompanying athletes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at Paris, the Indian shuttlers will be aiming to continue their medal-winning streak, having secured a silver and two bronze medals over the past three editions of the Games.The badminton events at the Paris Olympics will commence on July 27 and conclude on August 5.

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.

Indian badminton star Chirag Shetty has expressed his disappointment over the Maharashtra government's decision to felicitate the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team while ignoring his own achievements. Shetty, who was part of the Indian badminton team that won the prestigious Thomas Cup in 2022, believes that the government should treat all sports equally."Thomas Cup is equivalent to winning the World Cup," Shetty said. "I was part of the Indian badminton team which won its maiden title, shocking champions Indonesia in the final. I was the only Maharashtra player in the Indian team. When the government can honor World Cup-winning cricket stars, they should also recognize my efforts. Government should treat any other sport equally."Shetty's comments come after the Maharashtra government felicitated the Indian cricket team with a cash prize of ₹11 crore for their historic T20 World Cup victory. The team was also given a heroes' welcome in New Delhi and Mumbai.Shetty, along with his doubles partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has achieved remarkable success in recent years. The duo won the Commonwealth Games gold medal, a bronze at the World Championships in 2022, and a gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games. They also claimed the French Open and Thailand Open title wins this year."I have nothing against cricket," Shetty said. "In fact, we all badminton players watched the T20 World Cup final live on TV and celebrated enthusiastically. We are happy and proud about their sensational win against South Africa in the final. Similarly, we had also achieved something remarkable a couple of years ago, but the state government did not even felicitate me, leave apart giving any cash rewards. Before 2022, the Indian badminton team had never even reached the semifinals but we created history by winning the title."Shetty's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of recognizing achievements in all sports. Many believe that the government should provide equal support and recognition to all athletes, regardless of their sport.

Saina Nehwal, India's first Olympic badminton medalist, has high hopes for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics. She believes that the men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have a 95% chance of winning a medal, including a strong possibility of gold.Nehwal praised the duo's growth, form, and consistency, stating that they are the country's top prospects in Paris. She also expressed confidence in the entire seven-member Indian squad, which includes H.S. Prannoy, P.V. Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto, and Lakshya Sen."I hope everyone gives a tough fight," Nehwal said. "All of them have shown good results in the last 3-4 months. There are definite chances that a medal will come (from badminton). At the moment, I can't say how many, but they will come for sure."Nehwal believes that Shetty and Rankireddy are so dominant that they will be favorites against most opponents, except for a few Chinese and Danish pairs. She emphasized that they must embrace the pressure and expectations that come with competing at the Olympics.Regarding Sindhu, Nehwal believes that she has a chance to win her third Olympic medal. Despite her recent form, Nehwal stressed the importance of preparation and work ethic. She pointed to Lee Chong Wei's three consecutive silver medals as an example of the possibility of multiple Olympic medals.Nehwal also commented on the evolution of the women's game, which has become more physical and dominated by longer rallies. She cited An Se Young as an example of this trend, praising her speed, endurance, and diving ability.In the men's singles, Nehwal believes that the field is wide open in Paris. She named Viktor Axelsen, Shi Yu Qi, and Lakshya Sen as potential medal contenders. She emphasized that on any given day, any of the top players can beat each other.

Indian badminton's star doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are meticulously preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Having faced challenges with service variations from opponents, they have devised strategies to overcome this hurdle.Satwik and Chirag have been working on their physical and mental conditioning to ensure peak performance. They are analyzing their opponents' strengths and weaknesses to develop specific game plans. The duo is also focusing on targeted drills and enhancing their on-court positioning and shot selection.Their experience at the Tokyo Olympics has been invaluable, teaching them how to handle pressure and adapt to different playing conditions. The confidence boost from winning the French Open has further motivated them.Despite facing challenges against left-right combinations, Satwik and Chirag believe they can beat any pair if they play at their best. They are not letting expectations and pressure affect their mindset, instead focusing on enjoying the atmosphere and taking it one game at a time.As mentors of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC), Satwik and Chirag are committed to nurturing young talent. They provide guidance on drills, techniques, and strategies, as well as tips on mental resilience and managing competition stress.

Tragic Loss: 17-Year-Old Chinese Badminton Star Zhang Zhijie Dies on CourtThe badminton world is mourning the untimely demise of 17-year-old Chinese prodigy Zhang Zhijie, who collapsed and passed away during an international tournament in Indonesia.Zhang, a rising star in the sport, was competing in the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta when he suddenly fell ill during a match against Japan's Kazuma Kawano. The incident occurred in the first game, with the score tied at 11-11.Despite immediate medical attention at the venue and subsequent transfer to a hospital, efforts to resuscitate Zhang proved unsuccessful. The cause of his death remains unknown.Zhang's passing has sent shockwaves through the badminton community. Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) expressed their condolences in a joint statement, describing him as a "talented player" and an "outstanding athlete."Zhang's journey in badminton began in kindergarten, and he quickly rose through the ranks, joining China's national youth team last year. His talent was evident in his recent victory at the Dutch Junior International, a prestigious youth tournament.The Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) expressed its deep sorrow over Zhang's passing, highlighting his love for the sport and his exceptional abilities. The team tournament in Yogyakarta observed a moment of silence in his honor, and the Chinese team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu, who has won Olympic silver and bronze, expressed her heartbreak over Zhang's death. "The world has lost a remarkable talent today," she wrote on social media.Zhang's untimely demise serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. His legacy as a promising young athlete will continue to inspire future generations of badminton players.

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."

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, the dynamic Indian men's doubles badminton pair, have etched their names in history as the first Indian duo to ascend to the world No. 1 ranking. Their remarkable journey, marked by unwavering determination and a shared passion for the sport, has culminated in this unprecedented achievement.Their partnership, forged in the crucible of adversity, has blossomed into a formidable force on the international stage. Despite initial language barriers and contrasting playing styles, Shetty and Rankireddy have overcome these challenges through open communication and a willingness to adapt.Shetty, known for his powerful smashes, credits his volleyball background for his exceptional technique. His ability to generate immense speed and precision has earned him a Guinness World Record for the fastest hit in badminton. Rankireddy, on the other hand, brings a unique blend of agility and finesse to the court.Their training regimen is a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence. They meticulously hone their skills through rigorous drills, focusing on both power and defense. Shetty emphasizes the importance of developing muscle memory and perfecting their net game.Beyond their physical prowess, Shetty and Rankireddy share a deep connection that transcends the court. Their shared love for South Indian music has created a unique playlist that fuels their competitive spirit. From Rajnikanth's iconic anthems to Shah Rukh Khan's Bollywood hits, their music serves as a source of inspiration and motivation.Their partnership has not been without its challenges. Shetty initially felt burdened by the pressure of playing with Rankireddy, but through open dialogue and the guidance of their coach, they have forged a bond that has propelled them to the pinnacle of the sport.Rankireddy describes their connection as a "soul talk" that allows them to communicate seamlessly on the court. Their ability to anticipate each other's movements and adapt to changing game situations has made them a formidable force against even the most seasoned opponents.As they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Shetty and Rankireddy are determined to continue their winning streak. Their unwavering belief in their abilities and their unwavering support for each other make them serious contenders for the coveted gold medal.