PV Sindhu Re-establishes as World Championships Contender After Japan Open Triumph PV Sindhu’s victory over China’s Chen Yufei in the Japan Open semifinals has repositioned her as a key contender for the upcoming BWF World Championships in New Delhi, according to national coach Pullela Gopichand. The 31-year-old shuttler, who had been sidelined by injuries for much of the past two years, reached the finals of a World Tour event for the first time since 2024, marking a significant return to form. Her 21-19, 15-10 win over Chen Yufei, a former Olympic champion, not only secured her place in the final but also underscored her ability to compete with the world’s top players. Gopichand emphasized that Sindhu’s performance at the Japan Open has restored her status as a major threat ahead of the World Championships, which will take place in New Delhi next month. “She’s definitely a prospect, she’s definitely a threat,” Gopichand told Sportstar, highlighting Sindhu’s resurgence after a challenging period marred by recurring injuries. The two-time Olympic medallist had struggled to maintain consistency during the past two seasons, but her recent form suggests she is regaining her rhythm. The coach noted that while reigning world No. 1 An Se-Young remains the clear favorite in the women’s singles category, the rest of the field is within Sindhu’s reach. “I still believe that apart from An Se-Young, everybody in the rest of the field is beatable,” Gopichand said. He pointed to Sindhu’s recent victories over players like China’s Yue Han and Chen Yufei as evidence of her capability to challenge top-tier opponents. “Against Han Yu, she has an 8-1 record in her favor. I actually don’t think Yue Han has the speed to handle someone like Sindhu,” he added.#world_championships #pullela_gopichand #pv_sindhu #japan_open #badminton
Vimal Kumar on Lakshya Sen’s All England Open Performance: ‘Resilience the Biggest Positive’ Lakshya Sen’s performance at the All England Open, despite a final defeat to Lin Chun-Yi, highlighted his resilience and determination, according to his mentor Vimal Kumar. Kumar praised Sen’s ability to fight for every point during the tournament, even when physical fatigue and slower movements hindered his usual pace. “What impressed me the most was his intent—he kept digging in and fighting for every point,” Kumar said, emphasizing that this resilience became the defining trait of Sen’s game during the event. Sen’s semifinal victory over Victor Lai showcased his fighting spirit, but the final against Lin Chun-Yi proved challenging. Kumar noted that muscle fatigue limited Sen’s ability to deliver his powerful smashes in the later stages of the match, though he defended exceptionally well against one of the world’s most aggressive players. “It’s a tough loss, but a very brave effort,” Kumar remarked, acknowledging Sen’s opportunity to take the second game but ultimately falling short. The loss comes after a difficult period for Sen at the Paris Olympics, where he missed out on a medal after being in a winning position. His father and first coach, DK Sen, shared the emotional impact of that moment, calling it “the most painful moment for us.” However, they expressed faith in Sen’s eventual success, stating, “We believe in God and he decides when to give and what to give. We are still waiting for that moment.” Kumar credited Sen’s strong support team for helping him recover from the Olympic setback. The Korean coach, along with a dedicated physio, trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, and consistent guidance from his father, played a crucial role in Sen’s resurgence.#all_england_open #lakshya_sen #vimal_kumar #dk_sen #pullela_gopichand
