The ‘giant-killer’ tag has develop into related to Prannoy, who scripted a few of the most headline-grabbing victories over high stars equivalent to Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen
The ‘giant-killer’ tag has develop into related to Prannoy, who scripted a few of the most headline-grabbing victories over high stars equivalent to Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen
Hoping to interrupt his particular person title drought that has stretched to 5 years, H. S. Prannoy says he could have no regrets even when it doesn’t come his manner since he has a Thomas Cup gold in his trophy cupboard now.
The ‘giant-killer’ tag has develop into related to Prannoy, who scripted a few of the most headline-grabbing victories over high stars equivalent to Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen.
However, he couldn’t weave the large wins collectively in per week’s time and though he rose to a career-best rating of world quantity 8 in 2018, the Indian’s final particular person title win got here manner again in 2017, on the U.S. Open Grand Prix Gold.
“There will be some extraordinary players, who go on to win continuously. But there are others who have the potential and have big wins against big players but never been able to win something really big. I come in that category,” Prannoy informed PTI throughout an interview.
“I know I haven’t won something really big, maybe something is on the cards, it will come when it has to but even if it doesn’t, its okay because you know you are putting in the effort. I think I have been blessed to be in that Thomas Cup squad.”
The Kerala shuttler had come near successful a title after reaching the Swiss Open Super 300 closing in March this yr.
Though Prannoy, at the moment ranked 23, couldn’t go the space, his efficiency earned him a spot within the Thomas Cup squad and he went on to play a pivotal function in India’s epic triumph by successful the decisive third singles in opposition to Malaysia and Denmark within the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
It was his win over Jun Hao Leung which helped India stun Malaysia, a five-time champions, and safe a first-ever medal within the Thomas Cup in 43 years.
“Being part of this squad, I could be part of that moment, could be part of that podium. I am lucky enough to get that feeling which no one else in the world can feel.” While accidents are a part of an athlete’s life, the 29-year-old’s progress in worldwide badminton has additionally been affected by extreme well being points.
When issues had been wanting up on courtroom in 2018, Prannoy was identified with gastroesophageal reflux illness in the course of the World Championships, which affected his coaching and efficiency.
Once he recovered from it, he examined constructive for COVID-19 in November 2020, the after-affects of which pressured him to hunt different remedy.
“Last few years I have learnt that things will be tough for you as a sportsperson. At times, in these years, I was comparing myself to others but then I realised that we need to acknowledge the times when you have done something good,” he stated.
“I have been introspecting on all that and it really helped me to achieve that happiness. There are a lot of things which goes behind the things we do. I have been able to do that process happily in the last 3-4 years.” Prannoy was additionally a part of the Indian group that claimed its maiden gold in combined occasion on the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“CWG was different because we knew it will start really from the semifinals. We knew there would be two big matches. Malaysia was looking strong, so we had to really focus on that match. So when we reached the semifinal we knew the world was watching,” he stated.
“In Thomas Cup, nobody really kept us on the sidelines that these guys could also go on to win. The entire badminton world would have thought that they can create a few upsets but can never win the gold.
“So this win is important for the ecosystem of the sport. It is for the next generation of players to believe that it is possible. We need such big wins in constant gaps.” Prannoy is just not a part of the 10-member Commonwealth Games squad with Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth making the reduce attributable to their larger world rating.
Asked if the Thomas Cup win will rub on to the gamers as they gear up for the Birmingham occasion, he replied within the constructive.
“Yeah, from now on people will feel that we have a chance. In CWG, we are the defending champions and this time all are saying we are the favourites. But unless we go on to win it we won’t get the respect,” he signed off.
Source: www.thehindu.com