PV Sindhu believes change of coach, training facility worked out well ahead of Tokyo Olympics
The Rio silver medallist has been working with South Korea’s Park Tae-sang and the Gachibowli stadium to prepare for Tokyo 2020
Probably the biggest change PV Sindhu has made to her Olympic preparation this time compared to the last edition is the new coach she’s working with. It’s a shakeup that was made back in 2019 when she started working with South Korean coach Park Tae-sang, but one that the ace shuttler deems has worked out in her favour.
Under the tutelage of Pullela Gopichand, who had overseen Sindhu’s development from an early age, the 25-year-old ended her 2016 Olympic campaign with an historic silver medal. And with the opponent who beat her in that final, Carolina Marin withdrawing from the upcoming edition in Tokyo, Sindhu has become a strong medal favourite. And indeed she’s working towards winning the title.
“I think I am prepared and will not miss Gopichand sir in Tokyo,” she was quoted by Outlook last month.
“I am putting in about five-six hours with Park every day to keep myself ready for the Games. Last year, the Olympics got cancelled with two months to go and now it seems to be on track.”
Sindhu is the only women’s singles player to have qualified for the Olympics this term since 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal failed to make the cut. Being the sole Indian representative in the women’s singles field may increase the scrutiny on her performances, but Sindhu asserts the personal attention she’s been getting from Park has been something that has been helpful in keeping her prepared for any pressure situation on court.
“Park’s personal attention has helped a lot,” she says.
“Ever since we have moved (from the Gopichand Academy) to the Gachibowli Stadium, the training has been great and the time spent has been worth it. Park understands what’s going on in your mind. When I am under pressure or in a difficult position, he lets me think for myself. The eye-to-eye coordination with him works perfectly. He knows when to intervene and his reading of my opponents is fantastic.”
The 41-year-old coach, a 2002 Asian Games gold medallist (men’s team), had earlier worked with the South Korean women’s singles team before moving to India. By August 2019, he moved to India and helped B Sai Praneeth win bronze at the World Championship – a first medal in 36 years for men’s singles.
Moving to the Gachibowli Stadium to train, a 5,000 seater venue, may also help give Sindhu an idea of what the atmosphere may be like in Tokyo.
Practicing at the large facility in Hyderabad would give her an understanding of what she may face when she competes at the huge Musashino Forest Sports Plaza – the badminton venue for the Olympics.
When will PV Sindhu be seen at Tokyo 2020?
PV Sindhu will take on Israel's Ksenia Polikarpova in a Group J match on Sunday, July 25.