New Delhi: Indian shuttler PV Sindhu’s quest to be in the best physical shape at the Tokyo Games received a shot in the arm on Friday when her request to buy advanced recovery equipment was approved by the Government of India within 24 hours.
The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist had requested the Sports Authority of India (SAI) through the Badminton Association of India (BAI) for the latest technological support.
“I am happy that it did not take even a day for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to approve my request for the recovery system. The clearance was really quick, and I will be able to place an order and procure it in time to take it with me to the Olympic Games,” Sindhu said.
The equipment would help in circulating ice water, provide intermittent compression through specific wraps for an athlete’s legs, arms, back, and shoulders. It would relieve their pain, spasms, and swelling by cooling the affected areas. The compression would increase the flow of oxygenated blood.
“It will help me immensely after each long training session or match as it is a portable cold and compression recovery system,” said Sindhu. She further stated that this latest equipment would be better than conventional Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation methods of recovery.
“Sometimes one gets exhausted and experiences stiffness after matches. This will help in a quick and systematic recovery,” said the 25-year-old Indian athlete.
Sindhu, one of India’s top medal contenders at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and the superstar shuttler had been leaving no stone unturned in her preparations. She had been training at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad where conditions somewhat similar to what she will get in Japan.
The Padma Bhushan awardee had won medals at numerous tournaments, including the Olympics and on the BWF circuit, including a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships. She is the first Indian woman to win a world championship in badminton and the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal.
Sindhu won a historic silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics after losing the final match to Carolina Marin. She also won silver medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian Games and two bronze medals at the Uber Cup in 2014 and 2016.
Other badminton players who will represent India in men’s singles and men’s doubles events include World Championship bronze medalist Sai Praneeth and the young duo of Sattiwksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
