There were silver medals for Sindhu at the Rio Olympics, and Tokyopleased with the prospect of her third Olympic Games.
Paris: PV Sindhu trained late at church late on a Wednesday. It ran out of time and so her meeting with the media in the mixed zone was delayed. In entered she freshened herself up, and showed all signs that she was ready to speak.
There are only two days left until the start of school badminton The game started without any sign of nervousness. She started with her normal “I’m excited” then talked about what she did to prepare. “This is my third time Olympic Games. This is a new feeling. a different feeling. I’m in great shape… we’ll keep our fingers crossed,” Sindhu said, before admitting: “To be honest, I want to get a medal here. I want this hat-trick.
If this happens, it will make her become the first Indian do so. She won one silver medal at Rio Olympics and another bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics . “I know it (history is calling) but there is no pressure. We have had tough draws..” She said.”We work very hard… You can see it on pitch’. ”
And what about the journey from Rio de Janeiro to here? “In Rio, I was newish; sorta rusty; too geeked-up; back in Tokyo there were no crowds owing to COVID-19 pandemic that saw games go empty; received medals brought with them squeezing pressures on me by people who felt they had expectations of me winning again,” stated Sindhu.“ In Paris people can’t make up their minds whereas I got through situations which made me stronger.”
Being flag bearer proud moment- says Sindhu.” While I have been in Asian Games earlier now this only time once. Sindhu mentioned that prior coming here to sports village she had gone for training to Saarbrücken, Germany that felt ‘village like.’
“This center is in a remote place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The timing is great and the weather is great. It feels like living in a sports village. The whole badminton team is there. There are boxers too and I really enjoy the training there. course.
Asked if she slept in a hypoxic chamber for two nights, She replied: “Yes, we tried to simulate altitude acclimatization.” Regarding her sparring partners in Saarbrücken, Sindhu said she had three different ones partner. “A southpaw, a rally player, an attack player.” And then there’s a Nigerian men’s team player playing against me.”
Talking about Paris 2024 draw Sindhu thinks quarter-final remains as the most important stage. “Most likely it will be China, a real tough game. Prakash (Padukone) sir helped me prepare. We studied all the possible opponents’ games . I know most of their games well style.
How was her preparation different this time around when she dropped out of the top five and did not win?
“I’ve been working on hitting the ball better these days women’s singles matches last longer so I’m improving myself here as well; smart play; two more days to go and it seems I have already gotten into status.”
