Badminton

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.

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.

PV Sindhu, India's badminton icon, is determined to make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win three consecutive individual Olympic medals. Her journey to the podium has been marked by unwavering focus, relentless effort, and a deep understanding of the sport.Sindhu's Olympic debut in Rio 2016 was a resounding success, where she clinched a silver medal in women's singles. Her performance in Tokyo 2020 was equally impressive, earning her a bronze medal. These achievements have cemented her status as one of the world's top badminton players.As she prepares for Paris 2024, Sindhu is drawing inspiration from her past experiences. She recognizes the immense competition she will face, but her determination remains unshaken. "The Olympics is where I give my 200%," she says. "I hope I can fulfill the hope of the nation and get the third medal."Sindhu's training regimen is meticulously planned, focusing on both physical and mental preparation. She is fortunate to have the guidance of legendary Indian badminton player Prakash Padukone as her mentor. "It is my fortune that Prakash sir is my mentor," she says. "I hope his support can help me win that medal."Sindhu's illustrious career has been adorned with numerous accolades. She has won five BWF World Championship medals, including a gold, and an Olympic silver and bronze. Her Commonwealth Games achievements include gold in 2022, silver in 2018, and bronze in 2014 in the women's singles event.As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, Sindhu's unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. Her journey to the podium is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities.

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.

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."

The Paris Olympics, scheduled for 2024, is fast approaching, and nations worldwide are eagerly announcing their flag bearers for the prestigious sporting event. Team USA has made a significant announcement, naming the legendary LeBron James as their male flag bearer. The grand ceremony will take place on Friday along the River Seine, with James representing the male contingent of Team USA. The female flag bearer will be revealed on Tuesday."It's an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together," said James, the Los Angeles Lakers power forward, in a statement from the USOPC.India has also unveiled its flag bearers for the Paris Olympics: two-time Olympic medalist and 2019 World Champion in badminton, PV Sindhu, and veteran Table Tennis player Sharath Kamal. Sindhu, currently ranked World No. 12, has been a dominant force in Indian badminton for years. Her silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics against Spain's Carolina Marin made her the first Indian badminton player to reach the final of the showpiece event."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 A Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony," said IOA president PT Usha.Japan has selected B-Boy Shigekix and fencer Emura Misaki as its flag bearers for the mega sporting event. Shigekix expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating that it was a significant recognition not only for him but also for the entire breaking community.

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen is gearing up for the Paris Olympics, which begin next week, with a focus on improving his net game and addressing his tendency to concede points late in matches. The world No. 19 has been drawn in a tough Group L alongside Indonesian rival Jonatan Christie (WR 3), Guatemala's Kevin Cordon (WR 41), and Belgium's Julien Carragi (WR 52).Sen has been working diligently on his overall game, including defense, attack, and net play. He has also been paying special attention to closing out matches strongly, an area where he has struggled in the past."We have focused a lot on overall improving the game and we had a good time for the last 6-7 weeks where I could really work on all the areas of the game," Sen said. "From defense to attack and overall, we have tried to get better at everything, and at the same time, worked a lot on the areas (in) which I was not really good at (and) maybe give extra time on the net game, the defense and also closing stages."Sen is also adjusting to the different shuttle movement in Marseille, France, where he is currently training. He expects similar conditions in Paris and believes it is important to be sharp and aggressive in the closing stages of matches."It is important to be sharp and be aggressive. (In the) last few days, we are still trying to get good match practice here, play short games and also have a good match practice session so that I am sharp towards the end of the game," Sen said.The 22-year-old is set to represent India in his first Olympics and is determined to top his group. He is confident in his preparation and believes he can perform at his best."I'm thinking about the first match and also winning the group because it's a quite a tough group. Overall I feel really prepared to go out there and perform my best and the training has been good," Sen said. "Now it's just a matter of going there, settling in, and being ready for each match. I'll just take one match at a time as of now and give my best at the Olympics."Sen is aware of the potential pre-quarterfinal clash with compatriot HS Prannoy but is focused on topping his group first."We have seen the draw. It is a potential pre-quarter final but there is a lot of work to do before that. I am really focused on topping the group right now and then let's see what happens," he said.

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.