Hyderabad: For Parupalli Kashyap, 2013 has been a “normal” season.
Following his heroics at the world championships where he closely missed out on a medal, Kashyap hit a low patch with a spate of injuries adding to his woes.
Even recently, he twisted his left shoulder at training and had to skip the interzonal championships at the Siri Fort Stadium here. But the world no. 14, abiding by the mandatory clause of the Badminton Federation of India, will defend his men’s crown at the open events of the senior nationals starting on Friday.
“The shoulder is yet not fully recovered. I can still feel some pain. So, I am being accompanied by my physio for the event. I have seen the draw. There are quite a few players who are former champions. Even the current lot of youngsters are doing really well, so it will not be easy. I hope I can play some decent games,” Kashyap told this paper.
The Hyderabad shuttler, who will play with a taped shoulder, will have to counter the likes of Anup Sridhar, Ajay Jayaram, H.S. Prannoy, K.
Srikanth, Sourabh Varma, R.M.V Gurusaidutt and B. Sai Praneeth on way to retaining the title.
Reflecting on the year, Kashyap said, “It’s not been a great year. Following the IBL, my knee injury kept me out of action almost a month. After I recovered, my performances were not up to mark. My movement and speed on the court also had gone down.
“I think I need better planning next year. Also training of just two weeks before any event is not working well for me. I will train for longer periods, which will improve my stamina and strength,” said Kashyap, eyeing a “good show” at the 2014 Asiad and CWG.
But he, however, pointed out, “Lee Chong Wei is an
exception. Hats off to his trainer and physio, they are able to keep him fit throughout the year.“
PSPB RETAIN TEAM TITLES Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, meanwhile, continued their domination at the team championship for the 14th consecutive year, comfortably winning the double crown at the 69th ATS inter state-inter zonal badminton championship here.
The defending champion lifted the Rahimtoola and Chadha Cups with 3-1 and 20 wins over Air India.
In the men's final, PSPB were 2-0 up after Sourabh had downed Anand Pawar 21-13, 21-12 and Srikanth’s 21-19, 21-16 win over Aditya Joshi. But AI fought back through doubles pair Akshay Dewalkar and Sanyam Shukla, the only bright spot for AI on the day.
But in the end, it was PSPB who finished off the issue through Gurusaidutt.
The women’s clash was a lop-sided affair, with P.V.
Sindhu avenging her last year nationals’ loss to Sayali Gokhale with a 21-16, 21-17 victory, before doubles specialists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa beat Sanyogita Ghorpade and Saili Rane 21-12, 21-12.
