Badminton women’s singles at Tokyo 2020 will be an open contest: Aparna Popat

Two-time Olympian Aparna Popat believes that in badminton men’s singles event at Tokyo 2020, the gold medal winner could either be Japan’s Kento Momota or Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen. Incidentally, the duo are ranked one and two in the current world rankings.

However, she stated that the contest will be tougher in women’s singles as several athletes have a chance to clinch the elusive gold medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Although personally she would like India’s PV Sindhu, who is ranked seventh in the world, to win the gold medal, she mentioned that there are several other badminton players who are also in contention for the top position. Even though Carolina Marin wouldn’t defend her crown at the Olympics due to a knee injury, there are the likes of Tai Tzu-ying and Chen Yu Fei who will provide a tough competition.

Sindhu started her Tokyo 2020 campaign with a straight sets win over Ksenia Polikarpova of Israel.

“I think in men's, it’s either Viktor Axelsen or Kento Momota. But in the women's singles, it is open, but I would want PV Sindhu to win. Honestly, Chen Yu Fei, Tai Tzu-Ying, Nozomi Okuhara and (Ratchanok) Intanon can also play well. So, it is really open in women's singles,” Popat told Olympics.com.

Popat explained on whether being a top seed in badminton gives an advantage to a player as opposed to those seeded lower.

“I think at the Olympics, it's not about where the seeding places you in the draw or it's not about the seeding because it doesn't matter. But if you are in the top four (seeding) then you know that you will not play the top three before the semi-finals. So, that gives a little bit of assurance and breathing space,” she elaborated.

When will PV Sindhu be in action at Tokyo 2020 next?

Sindhu began her campaign at Tokyo 2020 on July 25, Sunday, with a win over Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova in the Group J contest. She will next be in action against Hong Kong’s Cheung Ngan Yi.