India’s top badminton players, PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, are gearing up to make a strong return at the 2024 Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament, which begins on Tuesday. Both athletes have faced difficulties in recent performances and are looking to bounce back after underwhelming results following the Paris Olympics.
Sindhu's Path to Consistency
PV Sindhu had a tough start to the season, including a surprise first-round defeat to Canada’s Michelle Li at the Arctic Open. However, she showed improvement by reaching the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super 750, where her run ended with a narrow loss to Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
Despite setbacks, Sindhu remains hopeful and believes her hard work with new coaches Anup Sridhar and Korean legend Lee Syun Il will pay off. "I’m in good shape, physically and mentally fit," Sindhu said. "We’ve been working on different aspects, like speed and defence. I hope to perform well in Japan and China with their guidance." Sindhu’s opening match in Kumamoto will be against Thailand's eighth-seeded Busanan Ongbamrungphan, and a strong performance could help her gain the confidence she needs for the rest of the tournament.
Lakshya Sen Focuses on Mental Strength
Lakshya Sen has also faced his fair share of challenges recently, with early exits at both the Arctic Open and Denmark Open. The 23-year-old's losses to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and China’s Lu Guang Zu highlighted the importance of mental resilience in tight matches.
Sen will begin his Kumamoto Masters campaign against Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao, and if he advances, he could face eighth-seeded Indonesian Anthony Ginting in the following round. Known for his aggressive style, Sen is determined to show he is ready to compete at the highest level, despite his recent struggles.
Women’s Doubles Team Ready to Compete
India’s women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, are also in action at the Kumamoto Masters. The duo will take on Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun in their opening match, contributing to the Indian presence in the tournament.
As Sindhu, Lakshya, and the women’s doubles team head into the Kumamoto Masters, they are not only aiming for victories but also working hard to rediscover the form and confidence that have previously placed them among the world’s top shuttlers.
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