New Delhi: His confidence boosted by a historic World Championships bronze medal, Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth is now eyeing a consistent show in the season’s remaining tournaments to seal his Tokyo Olympic spot by early next year.
Last week, B Sai Praneeth became the first Indian male player in 36 years to win a medal at the BWF World Championships. He emulated the legendary Prakash Padukone, who had clinched a bronze at the 1983 edition. His historic feat saw him jump four places to World No.15 in the latest world rankings.
Only two shuttlers from one country, inside the top 16 by April 30, 2020, will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. B Sai Praneeth said Wednesday his chances are bright because he does not have to defend ranking points in the tournaments he will participate in from now.
“…till Swiss Open next year I don’t have to defend ranking points. So there are a few tournaments where I can play well and give some good performances and maintain my rankings for the Olympics,” Praneeth told this agency.
“The Swiss Open is the only tournament in the qualification period where I have to defend lot of points. Last year, I didn’t play in the China Open and Korea Open. I also lost early in Denmark and French and in the first round at Hong Kong as well. So if I can reach the semifinals and quarterfinals consistently or win a tournament, that will help seal my ranking,” explained the Indian shuttler.
The 27-year-old from Hyderabad, however, said he needs to work on his fitness to trouble big players such as two-time World Champion Kento Momota.
“I know if I am fit I can play much better. In the last few tournaments, I have been performing well, so it gave me confidence. For me, fitness has always been the key and I still need to be fitter to beat players such as Momota,” said Praneeth, who lost to the Japanese in the semifinals at Basel.
Praneeth, who has been conferred with the Arjuna Award this year, said the news came as a massive boost for him ahead of the World Championships.
When asked about his most memorable point in the tournament, Praneeth said, “Winning the last point in the quarterfinals against Jonatan (Christie) is a moment that I will always remember. It was a big thing, I knew it would be a medal for India if I win that last point.”
On way to the World Championship semifinals, Praneeth had stunned two Indonesians in straight games – World No.9 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and World No.4 Christie.
Praneeth also thanked coaches Pullela Gopichand and Park Tae Sang for his success. “The inputs of the coaches were important for the win. Sometimes in pressure situation during matches, a player can’t think anything and the coaches can provide the strategy. So both the coaches helped me, especially Gopi sir. In the quarterfinals he gave me some inputs which I didn’t even think of,” Praneeth pointed out.
PTI