Former India badminton coach Vimal Kumar awaits a “tough” journey for Saina Nehwal, who has to focus on particular tournaments to lengthen her profession after the COVID-19 pandemic shattered her Tokyo Olympics desires. can be required.
Struggling with accidents and apathetic kind, 31-year-old Saina couldn’t make it to her fourth Olympics after the game’s governing physique, the BWF, canceled the final three qualifiers because of the pandemic.
“She got here into limelight in 2005-06 and has been an enormous pattern setter after Prakash Padukone. She has been constant, has performed for a few years and it’s unhappy that she couldn’t qualify this 12 months. I believe she has been a bit unfortunate within the final two video games.
Vimal, who led Saina to the world primary rating, believes the London Olympic bronze medalist can serve Indian badminton for just a few years, supplied she plans issues higher and takes care of her physique.
“She might proceed for just a few years however it’s going to be robust. He has to plan issues higher, goal particular tournaments and work for him.
“With her experience she can still beat the best players but she should not focus on rankings as playing the circuit will be difficult and free from injury.”
Read | Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth out of Tokyo Games
The shuttler has gained over 24 worldwide titles, together with 11 SuperSeries crowns in an illustrious profession, along with profitable a silver and bronze on the World Championships and a bronze on the 2012 London Games.
Beijing Games quarter-finalist Saina suffered a knee harm just a few days earlier than the 2016 Rio Olympics, making her a second spherical exit.
A decided Saina, nevertheless, returned to clinch her second Commonwealth Games gold in 2018 and remained on track for a Tokyo berth earlier than slipping by the previous two years.
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“It’s very difficult. She keeps getting injured. I don’t know, it’s a tough job and to be honest, Olympics shouldn’t be a priority anymore,” Vimal mentioned.
Her efficiency has seen a gentle decline since January 2019 when she gained the Indonesia closing after Carolina Marin was injured. He hasn’t executed something outstanding after that. Of course, it was all COVID for probably the most elements. “
Vimal feels that it’ll all rely upon her starvation to achieve the game she has been enjoying for greater than 15 years.
“No major changes can be made at this stage. He has to take care of his body. Sport is tough, it is difficult for the body to take that kind of intensity,” he mentioned.
“He continues to be higher than the remainder of the younger gamers however now the main focus will probably be on the kids. If he nonetheless has that need and starvation, he should handle, enjoying the circuit at his personal expense.
“He (Parupalli) Kashyap is his coach now. If she will be able to do all this, she will be able to proceed to play for no less than two years and it is going to be good for different Indian gamers as nicely.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
