Sridhar can win an Olympics medal: Prakash Padukone

Tue, May 13 07:35 PM

Legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone feels Anup Sridhar is one of India's best best to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

With the May 1, 2008 rankings being the basis of the Badminton World Federation's invitation list released this week, Sridhar, the highest ranked Indian at 33 in the world rankings, would be the country's lone men's singles challenger at the prestigious quadrennial event.

"Olympics is a really special event and it is the dream of every sportsperson to be a part of it. I am working hard at my game and am confident of doing my best at the Games", Sridhar said at a get-together with sponsors and media in Bangalore.

Sridhar is a product of Tata Prakash Padukone Academy in Bangalore, and Padukone, the former All England Champion, has coached him right from when he took to badminton, along with U Vimal Kumar.

Both Padukone and Sridhar's travelling coach Tom John feel Sridhar, who had the highest career ranking of 24 in March and a quarterfinalist at the 2007 World Badminton Championships last year, is a medal prospect.

"He is a medal prospect", said John. "In the present format, he can upset anybody on his day". Echoed Padukone: "In the present format, it's possible. It's not a wishful thinking (that he can win a medal). He has beaten a couple of top ten players".

Padukone exhorted Sridhar to believe in his ability and take one match at a time and not to look far ahead.

Sridhar, recovering from ankle injury, said he would take part in Singapore, Indonesia and Thailan Open championships in June, and an All India ranking tournament in Mumbai the next month before proceeding to Beijing in August. "I hope to do well", he said.

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