India’s top badminton players, P.V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, are set to spearhead the country’s campaign at the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament, which begins on Tuesday. Both players are aiming to regain their best form following inconsistent performances since the Paris Olympics.
Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, has shown glimpses of her potential, reaching the quarterfinals at the Denmark Open Super 750. However, she has struggled to consistently close out deciders, a pattern she hopes to break at the Kumamoto Masters.
The star shuttler has been working closely with new coaches Anup Sridhar and Korean legend Lee Hyun Il to refine her speed and defense.
“I’m in good shape, physically and mentally fit,” Sindhu said ahead of the tournament. “We’ve been working on different aspects, like speed and defence. I hope to perform well in Japan and China with their guidance.”
Sindhu faces a challenging opener against Thailand’s eighth seed, Busanan Ongbamrungphan. A strong showing here would provide much-needed momentum for the Indian ace as she continues her preparations for upcoming tournaments.
In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen has endured early exits at both the Arctic Open Super 500 and Denmark Open, struggling against top-tier opponents like Chou Tien Chen and Lu Guang Zu.
While his skills are undeniable, questions have been raised about his mental resilience, particularly after his narrow miss at the Tokyo Olympics, where he slipped from a medal position.
The 23-year-old remains determined to turn his fortunes around. He begins his campaign against Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao and could face a stern test in the next round against eighth-seeded Anthony Ginting of Indonesia.
India’s other representatives at the tournament, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, will compete in the women’s doubles category. They open against Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun, hoping to replicate their strong performances from earlier in the year.
With Paris Olympic qualifications looming large, the Kumamoto Masters provides a crucial opportunity for Sindhu and Sen to rediscover their rhythm. A strong showing here will not only boost their confidence but also improve their standings in the qualification race.
Indian fans will be eagerly watching to see if their star players can overcome recent setbacks and make a strong statement in Japan.
