London: Badminton’s Olympic rankings were frozen Friday with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) stating that no further qualifying tournaments will take place before the Tokyo Games this year. The qualifying period officially closes June 15. However, the current Race-to-Tokyo rankings will not change, the BWF said in a statement. It means that 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist will not be able to play at the Tokyo Games this year. It is indeed a huge blow for former World No.1 Saina Nehwal.
The Olympic qualification process is in effect closed. As of now there are no additional opportunities for players to earn points,” BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund said in a release.
“However, we still need to receive confirmations from National Olympic Committees and Member Associations, followed by any possible reallocations and this will take a number of weeks to complete,” Lund added.
Saina is among those whose qualification hopes evaporated as she failed to break into the top 16 world rankings. Saina, who won a bronze at the 2012 London Games, was hoping to improve her 22nd position at the Malaysian Open and the Singapore Open. However, both the tournaments were cancelled due to travel complications amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Compatriot PV Sindhu, who won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Games, is ranked seventh in the world at present. She will be the lone Indian in women’s singles at the Tokyo Games.
As far as the men’s singles is concerned, there is still no clarity as to whether there will be any Indian representation. Chances of Kidambi Srikanth qualifying for the Olympics is quite possible as he is currently ranked 14th in the world.