Quest for Gold: PV Sindhu’s Pursuit of Glory in 2022

In 2022, Badminton ace Sindhu sets her sights on filling her trophy cabinet with the elusive Commonwealth Games and Asian Games titles.

“I’m aiming for gold at the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and also the prestigious All England title, in addition to the world championships,” Sindhu expressed her ambitious goals.

Strategizing for a jam-packed season, Sindhu emphasizes the significance of selecting the right tournaments to peak during the Commonwealth and Asian Games, where she seeks to claim the missing accolades.

With the Commonwealth Games slated for July-August in Birmingham and the Asian Games scheduled for September in Hangzhou, China, Sindhu gears up for intense competition.

Ahead of the season-opening India Open Super 500 tournament commencing on January 11 in New Delhi, Sindhu shared her aspirations with PTI.

Navigating through a busy season filled with top-tier events like the BWF World Tour, including Super 1000s, Super 750s, and Super 500s, Sindhu stresses the importance of meticulous planning and maintaining a high fitness level.

“Selecting the right events is crucial due to the multitude of tournaments. We need to strategically manage our schedule, considering both rankings and performance, with a focus on excelling at the Asian and Commonwealth Games,” Sindhu emphasizes.

Highlighting the significance of physical and mental fitness in the rigorous season, Sindhu underscores the necessity of giving a full 100% effort consistently.

“I believe in giving my all during practice, which translates to peak performance during matches. While there may be off days, there’s no room for half-hearted efforts,” Sindhu asserts.

Reflecting on her achievements in 2021, including a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and a silver at the World Tour Final, Sindhu acknowledges the mixed bag of results but expresses satisfaction with her overall performance.

Despite setbacks such as quarterfinal exits at the World Championships, Sindhu remains optimistic, focusing on the positives, particularly her historic Olympic medal win.

In 2021, Sindhu’s performance saw ups and downs, with notable achievements like reaching the final at the Swiss Open before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Olympic qualifiers.

Undeterred, Sindhu bounced back with a stellar performance at the Tokyo Olympics, securing a bronze medal.

Following a brief hiatus, Sindhu resumed competition, displaying consistency with multiple semifinal finishes and clinching a silver at the World Tour Finals.

While unable to defend her world championship title, Sindhu remains undaunted, ready to embark on another challenging season after a period of rest and rigorous training.

Sindhu kicks off her campaign at the India Open, facing off against fellow Indian shuttler Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli, aiming to replicate her previous title-winning performance in 2017.

Competing against formidable opponents like two-time champion Saina Nehwal, Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan, and Singapore’s rising star Jia Min Yeo, Sindhu sets her sights on adding more accolades to her illustrious career.