PV Sindhu eyes third Olympic medal in 2028, sets sights on expanding her legacy

STAR Indian shuttler PV Sindhu last Friday (8) said the 2028 Los Angeles Games remains on her radar, insisting she still has a lot to offer and the potential to win many more titles on the demanding BWF (Badminton World Federation) circuit.

By the time the biggest sporting show on earth moves to the US, Sindhu will be 33. However, the two-time Olympic medallist said if she remained injury-free and in peak physical condition, she would be aiming for a third medal.

A former world champion, Sindhu, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, returned empty-handed from the Paris Games after her unexpected exit in the prequarterfinals.

“If I’m fit, if I’m able to do it, if I’m injury-free, then definitely yes, I will compete at LA. That’s what I can tell you,“ the 29-year-old from Hyderabad said.

Sindhu had entered the Paris Games with high expectations under the mentorship of legendary Prakash Padukone, but was knocked out early after losing to China’s He Bing Jiao in the round of 16.

“It does happen at times. I had [an] amazing two Olympics, and in the third one, I couldn’t get a medal. But I think I played well. I learn from my mistakes and come back stronger,” she said.

“I am looking one year at a time, and now the next Olympics is again four years down the line. So, the main aim and goal is to stay fit and stay motivated and be injury-free.”

She stressed that she has no regrets despite her early exit in Paris, saying, “It’s not the end of the world. I can see myself going there for at least the next couple of years now. I don’t hate it or anything, it’s fine, I need to come out of it. I don’t have any regrets, it’s not just over for me. I definitely would want to play a lot more and why not?”

Sindhu believes she still has the potential to win more titles and continue to inspire the next generation of Indian athletes.

“There’s always more to strive for. I want to win more titles, stand on more podiums and of course, ultimately leave a legacy that inspires the next generation of Indian athletes,“ said the Commonwealth Games champion.

“I’m committed to pushing my limits and making the most of every opportunity in my career. I want to win a lot more and I have it in me.”

Sindhu has made several changes to her coaching staff in her quest to regain her form. After winning bronze at Tokyo with South Korean coach Park Tae Sang, she worked with SAI [Sports Authority of India] coach Vidhi Chaudhary and All England champion Muhammad Hafiz Hashim before joining the Padukone-Dravid Badminton Academy (PPBA) with coach Agus Dwi Santoso to prepare for the Paris Games. After her Paris exit, she brought in Anup Sridhar and former World No 5 Lee Hyun-il for the rest of the season.

“Sometimes, when you need a change, you need a change. I have had good coaches and a good support system. I wanted some change after Park. Then I had a couple of them, and I think right now it’s Lee and Anup. You need to do what is best for you.”

Sindhu is now focusing on the next events in Japan and China.

“I’m in good shape physically, and mentally I’m fit. We’ve been working on different aspects, on speed and defence. It’s always good to learn new things from different coaches which will help in your game.

“So it’s going on really well and I hope, you know, this time in Japan and China, I hope I do well with their guidance. So you’ll have to just wait for the magic to start.”

In addition to her on-court commitments, the player has also launched the PV Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence in Visakhapatnam. “I bought this land before. The academy will take one and-a-half years to complete. The vision is to inspire and nurture the next generation of champions,” she said.