PV Sindhu Father Reveals Why Prakash Padukone Volunteered to Train His Daughter for Paris 2024 - Exclusive

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Paris, Jul 31: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 women's singles competition with a commanding victory over Estonia's Kristin Kuuba on Wednesday (July 31).

The two-time Olympic medalist triumphed 21-5, 21-10 in her second and final Group M match, which lasted just 33 minutes. The 29-year-old Sindhu, who had earlier defeated Maldives' Fatimah Abdul Razzaq 21-9, 21-6 in her opening match, secured the top spot in her group. Paris Olympics Special Coverage

Each of the 16 group winners progresses to the round of 16. Sindhu, a celebrated athlete, previously won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Games and a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

In an exclusive telephonic conversation with MyKhel, Sindhu's father and Arjuna Awardee PV Ramana threw light on his daughter's preparations, her journey in the competition so far and the contribution of coach Prakash Padukone.

Ramana highlighted the challenges faced by an athlete while making a comeback after injuries, especially in a fast-paced sport like badminton. Sindhu faced two serious injuries between July 2022 and November 2023, which significantly affected her performance.

"It is very difficult for a sportsperson to get back into rhythm and play at the same level post serious injuries. Especially in a sport as fast-paced as badminton. After recovering from an ankle stress fracture post-Commonwealth Games 2022, Sindhu tore her MCL on October 27, 2023. I still remember the date, I was watching the match," Ramana recounted.

All her hard work, family support, and the prayers of an entire nation ensured that the Hyderabadi shuttler recovered from the injuries and got back into form. "It was only in February 2024 that Sindhu resumed full-fledged training. Her schedule was meticulously planned by Prakash Padukone, BAI, and all other stakeholders to ensure her body is preserved for the Olympics," he added.

Speaking about Sindhu's chances of reaching the finals in Paris, Ramana said, "There are many good players. It is a tough draw, but we are confident that Sindhu will make it to the final once again. However, it is very important to keep in mind that in a sport like badminton and at an event like the Olympics, it is the performance on that particular day that matters."

Impact of Prakash Padukone on Sindhu's Resurgence

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone played a crucial role in preparing Sindhu for the Olympics. Ramana expressed his gratitude and shared insights into the effort put in by the former All-England Champion.

"Prakash sir called Sindhu and volunteered to train her with the sole intention of winning the country another medal. Sindhu dedicated herself to the process. The last leg of Sindhu's training was carried out in Germany.

"Prakash sir reached Germany on July 4 and stayed until the 22nd. A person of that stature dedicating that much time and effort, sitting through Sindhu's practice sessions in Bengaluru, means a lot to us and we are extremely thankful," Ramana added further.

Winning at major events is as much a mental game as it is physical. When asked about his daughter's mental fortitude going into the games, Ramana acknowledged the pressures athletes face and Sindhu's resilience.

"People praise when you are winning, but they will criticize you when you are losing or out of form. This definitely impacted Sindhu slightly, but she is mentally very strong and is fully prepared to take the challenge head-on. She doesn't need to prove anything to anyone anymore. She has consistently performed for the country, and we believe that she has it in her to pull through and make the nation proud once again," Ramana concluded.

As Sindhu progresses in the Paris Olympics, the nation looks forward to her continued success and potential to bring home another medal, bolstered by the unwavering support of her family, coach, and fans.