PV Sindhu begins new chapter under Indonesian coach
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Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has embarked on a fresh journey under the guidance of renowned Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, reaffirming her determination to achieve more in the latter phase of her illustrious career.
The 29-year-old, a former world champion from Hyderabad, has faced challenges in recent seasons, including a medal-less Olympic campaign and injuries, but remains undeterred.
Sindhu recently resumed training with Irwansyah at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, marking a significant shift to group training. Irwansyah, known for shaping the careers of top men’s singles players Jonatan Christie and Anthony Ginting, has now taken on the role of coaching Sindhu and other players in a group setting.
“It’s been just over a week since I started training with Irwansyah. He’s primarily a women’s singles coach, and I’ve heard a lot about his approach to preparing against opponents. I believe he’s the right coach for me,” Sindhu shared on the eve of the India Open Super 750, her first tournament since missing the Malaysia Open due to her recent wedding.
Sindhu emphasised the importance of building a strong bond with her coach, which she said would develop over time through training sessions. Reflecting on the group training setup, she added, “Training in a group helps everyone improve. It’s competitive and challenging, which benefits all players.”
Sindhu’s illustrious career has seen her train under several prominent coaches, including Pullela Gopichand, who guided her to a Rio Olympics silver, and Kim Ji Hyun, who coached her to victory at the 2019 World Championships. Her journey has also included stints with Korean coaches Park Tae-Sang and Lee Hyun-il, Malaysian legend Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, and others.
After recovering from injuries, including a stress fracture and a knee issue, Sindhu returned to competitive action in late 2023. She secured the Syed Modi Super 300 title in December but has faced tough competition in recent years, reaching finals without clinching titles at events like the Spain Masters and Malaysia Masters.
Determined to stay ahead of evolving women’s singles strategies, Sindhu is focusing on enhancing her speed, power, and adaptability. “Opponents know my game now, so it’s crucial to have strategies with my coach, including Plan A and Plan B. Keeping things dynamic is key,” she said.
With a decorated career boasting five World Championships medals, two Olympic medals, and numerous other titles, Sindhu remains motivated to pursue further accolades. She aims to add another medal at the World Championships and triumph at the prestigious All England Championships.
“I still have the fire in me to achieve more. It’s about finding the right rhythm and timing. Every time I step on the court, I want to win, no matter what I’ve achieved in the past,” she concluded.