HS Prannoy Takes Break from Badminton to Recover from Chikungunya

HS Prannoy Takes Break from Badminton to Recover from Chikungunya

Seasoned Indian shuttler HS Prannoy has announced a break from badminton to prioritize his recovery from the debilitating effects of chikungunya. The 32-year-old, a key member of India’s historic Thomas Cup triumph in 2022, has been battling persistent joint pain caused by the mosquito-borne viral disease.

Prannoy’s decision comes after a challenging period marked by a series of illnesses, including a chronic stomach disorder and a nagging back injury. Despite his physical struggles, he displayed remarkable resilience at the Paris Olympics, winning both his Group matches before bowing out in the pre-quarterfinals to compatriot Lakshya Sen.

“Unfortunately, the battle with chikungunya has taken a toll on my body, leaving me with persistent pains that make it impossible to compete at my best,” Prannoy wrote in a statement. “After careful consideration with my team, I’ve decided to withdraw from some of the upcoming tournaments to focus on recovery.”

Prannoy’s absence will be a significant blow to the Indian badminton contingent, which is preparing for a busy schedule of international tournaments. However, the shuttler emphasized his determination to return stronger and expressed gratitude for the support he has received during this challenging time.

“Thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging time. I’ll be back stronger,” he added.

Prannoy’s decision highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being in the pursuit of sporting excellence. While his absence from the badminton circuit will be felt, his commitment to recovery and his unwavering spirit will undoubtedly inspire others.

HS Prannoy Advances to Pre-Quarterfinals at Paris Olympics After Defeating Le Duc Phat

HS Prannoy Advances to Pre-Quarterfinals at Paris Olympics After Defeating Le Duc Phat

India’s HS Prannoy displayed resilience and determination to overcome a spirited challenge from Vietnam’s Le Duc Phat in the final group match of the men’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. The 32-year-old from Kerala, who had recently recovered from chikungunya, showcased his fighting spirit to secure a hard-fought 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 victory over the world number 70 Le in a 62-minute battle.

Despite looking slightly fatigued and rusty in the opening game, Prannoy regained his composure and executed his game plan effectively in the subsequent games. The world number 13 trailed 8-7 early on, but a precise shot at the corner gave Le a crucial two-point lead. The Vietnamese continued to dominate the rallies, utilizing his jump smashes to trouble Prannoy. The Indian fell behind 11-15 after the break, but he managed to narrow the gap to 15-16 with an aggressive push at the back. However, Le extended his lead to 18-15 and eventually sealed the opening game when Prannoy went long.

After the change of sides, Prannoy seized the initiative and opened up a 4-0 lead. Le gradually applied pressure, but Prannoy maintained his composure and went into the break with an 11-7 cushion. The Indian looked calm and in control as he quickly wrapped up the second game to force a decider.

In the third game, Prannoy established a 6-4 lead before engaging in an aggressive flat exchange with Le. The Indian went wide, allowing Le to draw parity at 7-7. However, Prannoy regained control and grabbed an 11-8 lead after winning another aggressive flat exchange. The Indian stamped his class thereafter, while Le struggled to find his rhythm. Prannoy quickly closed out the match when Le found the net again.

With this victory, Prannoy advanced to the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals, where he will face fellow Indian Lakshya Sen in an all-Indian clash. Prannoy’s performance is a testament to his resilience and determination, as he overcame physical challenges to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

HS Prannoy Triumphs in Olympic Debut, Secures Straight-Game Victory

HS Prannoy Triumphs in Olympic Debut, Secures Straight-Game Victory

India’s HS Prannoy made a triumphant debut at the Olympics, securing a straight-game victory over Fabian Roth of Germany in the men’s singles competition. Despite battling chikungunya in the lead-up to the Games, Prannoy showcased remarkable fitness and determination in his 21-18, 21-12 triumph.

The 32-year-old from Kerala faced a stern test from Roth, who engaged him in intense rallies. However, Prannoy’s superior experience and tactical acumen proved decisive. After trailing 14-11 in the first game, he surged ahead with a flurry of points, converting two game points after Roth’s error at the net.

In the second game, Prannoy asserted his dominance, finding his range and constructing rallies with precision. His deft touch and attacking shots proved too much for Roth, who struggled to keep pace. Prannoy’s net game was particularly impressive, helping him to build a comfortable lead.

With eight match points in hand, Prannoy sealed the victory after Roth’s wide shot. The Indian shuttler’s performance was a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit. He will now face Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in his final group match, aiming to secure a berth in the knockout stage.

Prannoy’s victory marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton. It is the first time an Indian male shuttler has won a match in the Olympics since 2012. His success is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the country’s potential to excel on the world stage.

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian badminton has achieved a significant milestone with five players securing quotas for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the ‘Race to Paris’ Ranking List, which determines the qualification for the Games.

Former world champion PV Sindhu, a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has secured her quota by finishing 12th in the rankings. In the men’s singles, HS Prannoy (ranked 9th) and Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen (ranked 13th) have also earned quotas for India.

In the doubles competitions, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have secured the third spot in the men’s doubles list, while Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto have finished 13th in the women’s doubles. Chirag and Satwik became the first Indian doubles pair to reach world number one last year, while Ashwini and Crasto have won two Super 100 championship titles and finished as runners-up in a Super 300 tournament.

With a total of seven badminton quotas, India could field its joint-biggest badminton contingent in the Olympics, having played with seven shuttlers at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This achievement is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the players’ determination to excel on the world stage.

HS Prannoy Battles Health Issues, Aims to Regain Form for Paris Olympics

HS Prannoy Battles Health Issues, Aims to Regain Form for Paris Olympics

HS Prannoy, India’s top-ranked shuttler, has been struggling with health issues that have impacted his performance in 2024. Despite his recent early round exits, Prannoy remains determined to regain his form ahead of the Paris Olympics.

In an interview earlier this year, Prannoy expressed his desire to continue his impressive run from 2023, where he achieved his career-best ranking of world No.6 and became the first Indian shuttler to qualify for the Paris Olympics. However, his performance in 2024 has been hindered by constant nausea, which has caused him to lose weight and experience breathing difficulties.

Prannoy’s medical condition is similar to acid reflux, which he has suffered from in the past. The malfunctioning muscle lining his esophagus has prevented food from moving down properly, leading to vomiting. This has affected his training and on-court performance, as he has been unable to eat properly and has lost energy.

Despite his health challenges, Prannoy has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. He played a crucial role in India’s 5-0 victory over England in the Thomas Cup Group C clash, defeating world No.106 Harry Huang in straight sets.

Prannoy’s win against Huang was a significant step in his recovery, as he aims to regain his touch before the Paris Olympics. He will face tougher battles ahead, including a match against 14-time champions Indonesia on Wednesday.

Prannoy’s determination and resilience are evident in his efforts to overcome his health issues and regain his form. His performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining his chances of success at the Paris Olympics.

HS Prannoy Battles Gastrointestinal Disorder, Faces Challenges in Thomas Cup Defense

HS Prannoy Battles Gastrointestinal Disorder, Faces Challenges in Thomas Cup Defense

Seasoned Indian shuttler H.S. Prannoy has been battling a chronic gastrointestinal disorder for the past four months, which has taken a toll on his physical and mental health. Prannoy was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2018, a condition that causes heartburn, abdominal and chest pain, and inflammation of the vocal cords.

Despite recovering from GERD and the after-effects of COVID-19, Prannoy has been struggling with the condition again for the past four months. “It’s been bothering me for the last four months. It has taken a toll on me mentally and physically, making it difficult to maintain the physical state I was in the last two years,” Prannoy told PTI.

The 31-year-old played a pivotal role in India’s historic Thomas Cup victory in 2022, followed by a bronze medal at the World Championships and Asian Games, a maiden Super 500 title at the Malaysia Masters, and a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in 2023. However, this season, Prannoy has only managed one semifinal finish at the India Open Super 750 and has faced a series of first-round exits.

Despite his struggles, Prannoy showed signs of improvement at the Asia Badminton Championships in Ningbo, China, where he defeated China’s Lu Guang Zu in a marathon 90-minute opening-round match. “It gives me satisfaction that the things I’m working on are coming good. Those kind of wins give confidence,” he said.

Looking ahead to the Thomas Cup title defense, Prannoy acknowledged the challenges ahead. “It will be tough this year. There are very tough teams with three strong singles and two doubles, like China, Denmark, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Indonesia,” he said.

India has been drawn into a tough Group C with last year’s runner-up Indonesia, Thailand, and England. “We have Satwik-Chirag, a strong doubles pair, and Lakshya hitting form at the right time. It will give us an extra boost, but a lot of ties will depend on first singles, third singles, and second men’s doubles,” Prannoy said.

Despite the pressure, Prannoy remains optimistic. “From the team perspective, there will be a lot of expectations on my first singles, but overall it will be very tough to defend the title. Each round, even from the group stages, will be tough,” he said.

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