Legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone is all set to travel to the Paris Olympics as a mentor for the Indian badminton squad. His presence adds invaluable experience and guidance to the team, especially as they gear up for the prestigious event beginning on July 26.
The Legacy of Prakash Padukone in Indian Badminton
Prakash Padukone, the first Indian to win the All-England Championship, retired in 1991. Interestingly, badminton was introduced in the Olympics just a year later, during the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Padukone’s mentorship extends to several players. PV Sindhu, one of India’s biggest medal prospects in badminton, has chosen him as her mentor. Sindhu shifted her training base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, where Padukone provides guidance. This will be Sindhu’s third Olympic appearance.
The Indian badminton squad comprises 15 members. Alongside Prakash Padukone, other key support staff include coaches Pullela Gopichand, RMV Gurusaidutt, Agus Santosa, Vimal Kumar, and Mathias Boe. Physiotherapists Zeinia Samar and Kiran Challagundla will also accompany the team.
Prakash Padukone will accompany the 15-member national team to the Paris Olympics as a mentor.#Paris2024 #TeamIndia #Badminton #PrakashPadukone #Olympics2024 pic.twitter.com/0Cmapp8Aba
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) July 11, 2024
The Indian shuttlers aim to continue their medal-winning streak at the Paris Olympics. In the last three editions, India secured a silver and two bronze medals in badminton.
The badminton events in Paris will commence on July 27 and run until August 5. Prakash Padukone’s mentorship adds a layer of expertise and motivation to the Indian contingent, as they strive for excellence on the global stage.
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