Parupalli Kashyap aims for Olympics spot after overcoming injury
Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap is aiming for a spot in the upcoming Rio Olympics after returning from an injury layoff. Kashyap missed out on the South Asian Games and the Badminton Asia Championship with a back injury and is raring to go in the German Open, which is starting on March 1.
In an exclusive interaction to PTI, Kashyap said that he is raring to get back on the international circuit after suffering back-to-back injuries in the last four months.
"I've butterflies in the tummy. After four months of intensive training and rehab, it feels great to be back on the international circuit. All England open and Swiss Open to follow soon," Kashyap told PTI.
The World No.17 will be participating in three back-to-back tournaments in the European circuit in March starting with the German Grand Prix Gold on March 1. The Hyderabad lad is also slated to play in the All England Championship (March 8-13) and Swiss Grand Prix Gold (March 15-20).
Kashyap missed out on seven tournaments in the last four months with injuries and is now racing against time to qualify for the Olympics. A calf injury in October during the French Super Series had ruled out the Commonwealth Games champion for a period of two months. Although he returned from injury in January to play in the Premier Badminton league, an abdominal strain during the Syed Modi GPG saw him miss out on the South Asian Games and Badminton Asia Championships.
When asked about his preparations for the Olympics in Rio, the 29-year old said that he is focussing on one tournament at a time and will try his best to qualify for the quadrennial event.
"So it is one tournament at a time for me. With the experiences that I had last few months, can't think ahead more than today. I'll need all the best wishes to help me perform my best in the upcoming season," he added.