Badminton
‘Probably my last Asian Games’: Prannoy keeps LA 2028 door open as India eye gold
H S Prannoy says Aichi-Nagoya is likely his final Asian Games but will assess his LA 2028 prospects.
H.S Prannoy is confident of returning home with a medal from Paris 2024. (Photo credit: SAI)
Veteran Indian shuttler H S Prannoy says the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is most likely his last, but he will give himself another year to assess whether he has enough left to make a realistic bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Prannoy, a bronze medallist at the last edition, is part of India's 20-member badminton squad for the 20th Asian Games, which begins with the team championships on Sunday.
"This is probably my last Asian Games. I don't think I will be able to play at this level after four years. I only want to play at that level, not lower," Prannoy told PTI.
Prannoy who competed at the Vietnam Open last week, said he was in good physical and mental shape as he prepared for what could be his final appearance at the continental showpiece.
"I am in a good place physically and mentally. I played the Vietnam Open last week and had a decent run after some time," he said.
Prannoy, who was part of India's silver-medal winning team at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, said the narrow miss would serve as motivation as the team targets gold in Nagoya.
"We missed gold by a whisker last time. Hopefully, we can reach the final and win gold this time," he said.
The former world No. 6, however, has not completely closed the door on another major assignment, with the Los Angeles Olympics still a possibility if he feels he can remain competitive.
"My aim is LA 2028. I will push for the next one to one-and-a-half years. If I feel there is a realistic chance of making it to LA, I will continue. Otherwise, I will decide later," he said.
Prannoy's preparations for the Paris Olympics were disrupted after he contracted chikungunya around 15 days before the Games.
The veteran also credited fellow senior shuttler Kidambi Srikanth with giving him the motivation to continue playing at the highest level, describing him as "probably the best men's singles player" India has produced.
"Seeing him still play is encouraging and motivating. His results have given me confidence that if he can play, so can I," Prannoy said.
He added that Srikanth's commitment to training, irrespective of outside opinions, was something younger players could learn from.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Bridge Desk. It is published from a syndicated feed)