Sindhu to pick and choose events before Olympics

But the 24-year-old already has her eyes fixed on the next big prize – the Tokyo Olympic Games (2020) gold. “It’s important for everyone to have goals in their lives. Every time you win, there is another thing running in your head. That keeps you motivated. I will go there (to Japan) and play. I hope and wish to give my best and get the gold,” Sindhu, who presented Velammal Sports Scholarship awards worth Rs 60 lakh, said on Thursday.

The Olympic qualification period kick-started in April this year, with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) taking into account the rankings which will be released on April 30, 2020 for the direct slots. As she leads up to the quadrennial event, Sindhu revealed she will give certain competitions a miss, in a bid to remain in perfect shape.

“Each and every tournament is important. But at the same time, we need to be mentally and physically fit. We have to maintain our fitness levels and give our 100 per cent. Definitely, I will pick and choose events because you have to be injury-free, which is vital for every sportsperson,” added the Hyderabadi shuttler.

After faltering at the final hurdle in consecutive years, Sindhu was third time lucky at the World Championships. She blitzed past Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in the title decider to end India’s long wait for a world gold medal. “The victory was fantastic, it was a much waited one. I am very happy about it and it hasn’t put extra pressure on me. A lot of expectations and responsibilities will be there, but I will just take it as blessings and support from billions of people out here,” she remarked.

While addressing the Velammal School (Mogappair) students, Sindhu gave them an insight into how she took to the sport which she now masters. “Badminton is my passion and I started playing it at the age of eight. I have never felt I missed something, but, yes, I have made a lot of sacrifices. In life, you got to do it and that is why I am standing in front of you as a world champion,” one could sense a tinge of pride in her words.

It was recently reported that young Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw will train with Sindhu, but the latter is unsure if that would happen. “He (Shaw) said that he will come. It will be goodif he does.”