‘Olympics seems like a distant dream’
Says India’s number 1 shuttler PC Thulasi, who wants to focus on smaller tournaments to improve her ranking
PC Thulasi of Kerala is currently the top ranked player in India, according to the Badminton Association of India (BAI) latest ranking chart. Eventually, she is just behind the top aces of Indian badminton like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu.
However, the gap between the top and the second string of players is way too wide. To make matters worse, Thulasi suffered an ankle injury and suffered a massive drop in her world ranking. As a result, she needs to work really hard to close the gap between her and the top players.
“My injury affected my world ranking badly and I have been thrown out of the top 100. In order to get back into the game, my first target is to be in the top 100 first, and only then can I can think of other goals,” said Thulasi, on the sidelines of the recently held VV Natu Memorial All India Senior Ranking Tournament at Shivajinagar, Pune.
“With the lower rank, you are allowed to play in smaller tournaments only. So, that’s what I am focusing on now. Of course, playing in the Olympics is my dream, but it seems a distant one now. I can’t say anything about it right now,” she said.
The top seed had a fine outing throughout the tournament, but she faltered against youngster Ruthvika Shivani in the final. The Telangana player outplayed Thulasi in straight 21–18, 21–6 games. Thulasi fought well in the first game, but in the second, she surrendered tamely.
“It wasn’t my day. I tried my best but wasn’t able to control my unforced errors. On the other hand, Ruthvika was playing flawlessly and her accurate strokes made me difficult to come back in the game,” said Thulasi, who had earlier beaten Ruthvika twice.
“We train together and know each other’s games quite well. She is a strong upcoming player and has a bright future ahead,” said the Kerala player.
The 24-year-old recently won the Yonex Sunrise 80th National Badminton Championship in April. She was the first women player from Kerala to achieve this feat and also overall third after U Vimal Kumar and George Thomas.
In 2010, Thulasi won a silver medal in women’s doubles and was part of the Indian team that won a gold medal in the South Asian Game. Last year, she won a gold medal in the 34th National Games held in Telangana. Even at the international level, she was going strong and quietly climbed up to her personal best ranking of 34 and was hoping to get into the top 25.
Unfortunately, her ankle injury pushed her way beyond her target and all of sudden she is now ranked 119 in the world ranking.
“That was a big blow for me. It’s very difficult to reach the peak and it’s equally difficult to remain at the peak. A player knows how hard it is to get back into the top list. Nothing happens overnight and it’s a slow, gradual process. You have to start all over again and have to keep yourself motivated,” she said.
Thulasi trains with P Gopichand at his academy in Hyderabad, a hub of Indian badminton. Asked what difference she notices between the top string players like Saina and Sindhu and second string players, she said, “We all get the same intense training from Gopi sir. What makes the difference is the exposure. Unlike top players, we don’t get many international tournaments. The match temperament is what you need.”
Double crown for Satwik, Maneesha
Satwik Sai Raj R of Andhra Pradesh won a double crown in the VV Natu Memorial All India Senior Ranking Tournament at Shivajinagar, Pune. In the mixed doubles final, he along with Maneesha K, defeated Air India player Jishnu Sanyal and Prajakta Sawant 18–21, 26–24, 21–14. Later, he paired with Maharashtra’s Chirag Shetty to beat MR Arjun and Shlok Ramchandran of Air India 21–16, 21–18 in the men’s doubles. Meanwhile, Maneesha K and N Sikki Reddy prevailed over the pair of Aparna Balan and Prajakta Sawant 13–21, 21–18, 21–9 in the women’s doubles. Sourabh Varma clinched the men’s title, beating RMV Gurusaidutt 21–12, 17–21, 21–14.
In the women’s singles, the venue turned out to be a happy hunting ground for Rutwika Shivani. The Telangana shuttler had won Sushant Chipalkatti Memorial badminton tournament at the same venue last year. This year, she won national title beating top seed PC Thulsai in straight games.
ashish.phadnis@goldensparrow.com
Originally published on The Golden Sparrow
