New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Within the bustling badminton enviornment, the place each swing and each level are stepping stones to Olympic desires, Prannoy HS, the World No. 8, is gearing up for a pivotal journey.
Because the India Open Tremendous 750 approaches, Prannoy finds himself at a crossroads, eyeing not simply victory on the court docket but in addition the elusive ticket to the Paris Olympics in close to months.
Indian shuttlers will purpose to earn worthwhile factors and stake claims to Olympic berths throughout classes on the India Open Tremendous 750 to be held on the Indira Gandhi Stadium from January 16-21, 2024.
The trail forward is formidable, starting with a first-round showdown in opposition to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese language Taipei. With the Olympics looming on the horizon, Prannoy’s strategy is straightforward but profound – “One match at a time.” The seasoned participant, adorned with a bronze medal and a starvation for extra, understands the significance of pacing himself by the rigorous qualification course of.
“I’ll purpose for one sport at a time, for proper now my focus is on the India Open. The Paris Olympics is an extended highway to go. I’m not considering a lot about it. We’ve numerous tournaments in between earlier than the Olympic qualification. For me, each sport issues, that’s how you progress forward and also you analyze and work on the errors that may be averted,” stated Prannoy to IANS highlighting the knowledge of a participant who is aware of that success is a fruits of constant efficiency.
Nonetheless, the competitors is fierce, with the likes of former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, Commonwealth Video games gold medallist Lakshya Sen, and rising star Priyanshu Rajawat all vying for the coveted second Indian spot on the Video games. The stakes are excessive, and each match within the lead-up to Paris turns into a battle for supremacy and Olympic qualification.
Prannoy, regardless of dealing with setbacks, attracts inspiration from his experiences. Reflecting on a difficult match in opposition to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, he acknowledges the hurdles however maintains his give attention to the India Open. “It’s a essential event forward of the Olympics. I all the time have a starvation to go there and win the event. I’ve a whole lot of good recollections and it is extremely particular for him. My physique now feels superb, I’m in a really robust psychological state. Catching the flu was disastrous for me, drastically shedding a whole lot of weight however that’s how the sport of badminton is. You’re by no means positive of your physique. For me, being mentally and bodily steady issues essentially the most,” he asserts, revealing the willpower that fuels his pursuit of success.
The journey, nonetheless, isn’t just concerning the India Open; it’s a few sequence of tournaments that can form Prannoy’s future. With a strategic eye on the calendar, he envisions participation in 5 to 7 key occasions, emphasising the significance of relaxation and sustaining peak bodily and psychological situation. The French and Indonesian Opens maintain explicit significance, forming essential stepping stones on Prannoy’s highway to Olympic qualification.
“Likely 5 to 7 tournaments that I’ll purpose to play forward of the Olympics. Relaxation is likely one of the key components for me, so going into the {qualifications} you need to be in good psychological energy and a very good physique. The purpose would be the French Open and Indonesian Open which I’ll purpose to have beneath my belt.”
Because the badminton world watches, Prannoy HS embarks on a quest for Olympic glory. Every swing of the racket, every strategic transfer, and every hard-fought level turn out to be half of a bigger narrative – a narrative of willpower, resilience, and the pursuit of a dream. The title isn’t just a vacation spot; it’s a journey, and Prannoy is prepared for each step of the best way.
–IANS
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