Indian badminton sensation PV Sindhu is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for Olympic gold in the upcoming Paris Games. Having clinched silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, Sindhu has undertaken a comprehensive transformation in her training routine, coaching staff, and even her residence.
Sindhu relocated from her long-time training base in Hyderabad to Bengaluru in October. The decision was primarily driven by her desire to be in closer proximity to her new mentor, Prakash Padukone. The legendary Indian badminton figure and father of Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone brings a wealth of experience and insight to Sindhu’s preparation.
But the changes don’t stop there. Sindhu has also revamped her coaching team, with Indonesia’s Agus Dwi Santoso taking the helm. This decision came after parting ways with Malaysia’s Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, whom she initially intended to work with after parting with her longtime coach, Park Tae-Sang, earlier in the year.
In an interview with Reuters, Sindhu expressed her motivation for these changes, stating, “It’s a new year, a new team. Every aspect I touch on is going to be completely different.” Recognizing the significance of the Paris Olympics, Sindhu stressed the need to be 100% in every aspect—physically, in skill, and in strategy.
The 28-year-old shuttler, who had previously raised awareness about mental health in sports, also mentioned having a “mental trainer.” While incorporating elements of meditation, she emphasized the importance of understanding the mental aspects while playing, dealing with pressure, responsibility, and expectations.
Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences, Sindhu acknowledged the different challenges each presented. Rio 2016 saw her enter as an underdog with minimal pressure, ultimately securing a silver medal. In contrast, Tokyo 2020 was more demanding due to expectations and her status as the world number one, resulting in a silver medal again.
Despite the challenges, Sindhu remains the only Indian to become a badminton world champion and the second individual athlete from India to win consecutive Olympic medals. Undeterred by past achievements, Sindhu affirmed her unwavering commitment, stating, “If I want to achieve something – and my aim is to achieve the Olympic gold – then I would do anything for it. It means everything to me.”
Sindhu’s relentless pursuit of excellence and her proactive approach to change underscore her determination to stand atop the Olympic podium in Paris and etch her name in the annals of Indian sporting history.
