HS Prannoy a 31 year old an Indian badminton player made a emotional victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games, battling severe back pain and inner demons, resulted in his maiden bronze medal. This achievement also marked India’s first-ever silver in men’s team championships and ended a 41-year wait for a Men’s singles bronze.
Prannoy, in an interview, acknowledged that people often don’t see the behind-the-scenes struggles of athletes. He praised Coach Gopi, who has known him for 15 years, for understanding and supporting him through career challenges.
Prannoy explained the challenges he faced during a crucial match, citing slow shuttles and a formidable opponent, Lee Zii Jia. Despite playing with taping and a belt on his lower back, he showcased incredible mental toughness to secure a bronze, even though victory nearly slipped away when he squandered two match points.
Winning an Asian Games medal is incredibly challenging, with no Indian achieving it in 41 years. Prannoy and his coach understood the medal’s immense value. The tournament was the toughest in the last 6-7 years, with Prannoy battling various health issues. He fought through doubt on every point, making this victory a remarkable acheivement.
Despite doubts arise from his back injury and limited training, Prannoy’s trust and belief in himself propelled him during those two challenging weeks. He felt the weight of responsibility, knowing many people had high hopes for him, and he was determined not to let them down..
As it was said by him in interview he may not have secured gold, winning the bronze holds immense meaning and pride.
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