The stage is ready as 7 Indian shuttlers gear up for Rio Olympics!
THE MUCH AWAITED PRESTIGIOUS EVENT FOR ATHLETES, the Olympics kick-starts in August in Rio, Brazil. Among other sportspersons, 7 Indian shuttlers will be seen participating this year, the highest number for India in the sport of badminton.
Following are the shuttlers, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu in the women's singles category, Kidambi Srikanth in the men's singles, Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa in the women's doubles and finally Manu Attri/Sumeeth Reddy in the men's doubles event.
Are they thrilled, well of course they are! Sindhu, Srikanth, Attri/Reddy are making their debut at the Olympics.
Each of them have earned this spot and very well deserve it too. Though for some, based on their current performances, this year hasn't been that good but there a number of tournaments lined up before Olympics.
UNFORTUNATE
There could have been eight participants but it was an unfortunate period for Parupalli Kashyap who has been marred with a series of injuries. It began in October last year at the French Open, though he was back in action for the Premier Badminton League and thereafter at the India Grand Prix. Then at the German Open Grand Prix Gold, the injury came back and forced him to withdraw. Since then he has been out of action which has cost him valuable ranking points and also a spot in Rio. He will only return to courts in July.
EXCITED BUNCH
Though it was an upset for him and his fans, it was made up by the men's doubles pair Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy who for the first time will represent the country in this category. They have been doing really great in the tier IV tournaments which is the International Challenge or Series. Last year in December, they bagged their first ever Grand Prix title in Mexico. They should be pumped up for the event and make the most of the upcoming tournaments before August.
It's also the first time that India will have two shuttlers in the women's singles category. Sindhu who turns 21 exactly a month before the Olympics is excited as not many 21-year-olds get this opportunity. One cannot call her an emerging player anymore as she has made a mark in the international circuit. Do not forget, in the list of her accolades she has also defeated the then World No. 1 Carolina Marin. So at an event like Olympics one cannot predict who will be the winner, so expect the unexpected.
On the other hand 23-year-old Srikanth has managed to maintain his ranking though it has taken a dip at the moment. For the last one year he has been in the top 16, his highest being No. 3 in June 2015. Just like he has worked hard to be in the top 16, he needs to work on his consistency in the performance. He has taken some break off the court therefore won't been seen at the Thomas Cup.
THE VETERANS
Saina Nehwal and the women's doubles duo of Jwala Gutta /Ashwini Ponnappa are the most experienced of them all. Saina will be making her third appearance while for Jwala/Ashwini, it is their second Olympics. All eyes will be on Saina as for many hopes of a medal lie on her shoulders but it would be unfair to the others who equally stand a chance, it is challenging but not impossible.
Jwala/Ashwini will have to fulfil their promise of getting back only with a medal. They have the potential but just what other shuttlers are unable to maintain, consistency is something the duo need to work on. In the London Olympics in 2012, they missed out on the quarter-final berth by just one point hence they will be looking to better their performance this time around.
BEST WISHES
Since the time it was confirmed that these are the shuttlers who will be seen at the Olympics, wishes from fans and fellow-sportspersons have been pouring in. Well we at TFG would also like to take this opportunity to send our best wishes. Fans mark the dates, badminton begins on 11th August!
