New Delhi: Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth said Thursday he would strive to regain his form and fitness ahead of the Tokyo Olympics after enduring a ‘tough last six months’ owing to injuries and a stunning dip in form. During the difficult phase, the former World No.1 has slipped to 26th in the BWF Race to Tokyo rankings.
As per the BWF’s qualification system, a country may have a maximum of two athletes in each event, provided both are ranked in the top 16 (as of April 28, 2020). The 26-year-old shuttler, however, seemed determined to qualify for the Olympics.
“I really want to participate in the Tokyo Olympics and do well. I know I have gone through a tough phase in the last six months, but I am looking forward to regaining my full fitness and doing well,” Srikanth said.
“I think the Indian badminton contingent definitely has a very good chance of doing extremely well at the Olympics if we are consistent in the tournament,” added the shuttler.
Srikanth credited Pullela Gopichand for badminton’s rise and said the national coach is solely responsible for unearthing ‘so many champions’.
It was under Gopichand’s tutelage that India produced Olympic medal winners Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu and Srikanth, who himself is a prodigy of the former All England champion, couldn’t hide his appreciation for his mentor.
“I would like to credit Gopichand sir for the growth of badminton in India. He has created so many champions from his academy. He has built such a good infrastructure when there was nothing at one point,” the current World No. 15 Srikanth said.
PTI
