The 2016 Rio Olympics will see India’s best ever representation in Badminton. As many as seven Indian badminton players will be participating in the quadrennial event, which is less than 100 days away — the biggest ever badminton contingent from the country to have qualified for the Olympics.
The team will be led by Saina Nehwal, India’s star shuttler, alongside PV Sindhu as the two form India’s representation in women’s singles. Kidambi Srikanth will be the sole representative in men’s singles, while Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy will play men’s doubles. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa complete the contingent as India’s entry in women’s doubles.
Parupalli Kashyap made the cut too but will be unable to participate due to a knee injury.
The previous best representation India had was five Indian shuttlers featuring in the 2012 Olympics, with Saina Nehwal winning a bronze medal.
India’s chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand had this to say to the Times of India:
It is big achievement for us, a result of our consistent performances. I am quite happy… In fact, eight shuttlers could have qualified but Kashyap suffered an injury at the wrong time. Now that the qualification process is over, we will get around eight weeks to train. It will be enough for them. I am expecting more medals this time
Good luck, team!
Featured image source: AFP