Tokyo Olympics 2020: A break during the Covid pandemic did not affect my preparation for the Games, says P. V Sindhu

Olympic silver medalist P. V. Sindhu is one of the few athletes who really benefited from a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic from last year, as she had a lot of time to think about her game and even focus on improving her technique and skills until Tokyo 2020.

World champion Sindhu is one of India’s biggest medal hopes this year and is the only entry from the country in women’s singles badminton in Tokyo. The 26-year-old is bidding to become only the 2nd athlete after wrestler Sushil Kumar to win multiple singles medals at the Games.

Sindhu, who lost the gold medal to Carolina Marin in the 2016 Rio Olympics, said that the pandemic break did not affect her preparations for the upcoming Summer Games and it actually was a blessing in disguise for her.

“I think the (break during) pandemic was very useful because I got to learn more and focus more on my technique and skills so I would say definitely it has (helped),” the Indian badminton superstar said in a virtual interaction.

“It did not impact my preparation much for the Olympics because I think I”ve got enough time. Generally it”s more like when you go for a tournament come back and train.”

“Most of the time, we don”t have enough time to train. So I think this was the first time that we”ve got enough time to actually train and get ready for the Olympics.

“I don”t think it has impacted on my preparations — not at all. In fact, I”ve actually learned a lot more, and I”m prepared for it.”

Sindhu has been seeded 6th in the women’s singles badminton and has been drawn in Group J for the Tokyo Olympics. Sindhu will face Hong Kong’s world number 34 Cheung Ngan Yi and Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova, ranked 58th in the group stage.

“I”m sure there will be expectations, responsibilities like always but I just hope that with your love and support, I”m gonna be there, get a medal and come back to the country,” she said.

Sindhu however said she would miss the spectators as the Olympics would be held behind closed door to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“I”m going to miss a lot of fans. Back then in Rio it was very different. But I think we have to get used to the situation, the new normal. Overall, we are also practising in a way where you know we need to get used to it,” she concluded.