Injured Kashyap's Olympic dream in tatters

ByAmlan Majumdar, SportsCafe Editor

04/05/2016

Parupalli Kashyap is on the verge of losing the race against time to qualify for Rio after limping out of the German Open soon after returning from a prolonged injury lay-off. Kashyap is hoping to return to action in May or June, but is unlikely to earn the necessary points to gain qualification.

“No tournaments for me the whole month. Actually the injury was bad. I just feel the first diagnosis was not right. The first guy told me that I was going to be okay in two weeks time which was not the case. I was expecting myself to play in two weeks so there is disappointment and irritation,” Kashyap told PTI.

The Indian star made a comeback to the German Open last month after recuperating from a calf injury and an abdominal strain, which kept him out of the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold and Thailand Masters GPG in January-February. However, he suffered another knee injury in that tournament during his match against Son Wan-Ho and missed out on the All England Championships and the Indian Open.

Kashyap is currently ranked 17 in the world, and he needs to be in the top-16 to make it to the Olympic draw, but the new injury lay-off means his hopes of earning the required points have all but disappeared.

“I wouldn’t blame anyone because everyone wants me to play and get back quickly. They want me to stay in shape and mentally be ready.

“The current status is that I have to wait another 3 weeks and then assess how it is. I might play next in May or June,” he added.