I still think [Sindhu] can be competitive. It’s about how efficient she becomes: Santoso

Hopeful: Santoso believes that badminton is not just about physical prowess — mental strength is very important. | PHOTO : SUDHAKARA JAIN

 There is no sugar-coating the fact that P.V. Sindhu is not the player she once was. The 29-year-old double Olympic medallist didn’t win a trophy in 2023, had a disappointing time at the 2024 Paris Games and ended her two-year title-drought only at the Syed Modi International late last year.

However, Agus Dwi Santoso, the famed Indonesian coach who trained Sindhu in the lead up to the Paris Olympics, and someone who has trained the elite in Thailand, Korea and back home, felt all was not lost for one of India’s sporting greats.

“Sindhu is no longer my player so I cannot talk freely, but when I see, it is all about focus and priority,” the 59-year-old said after a training session at Game Fit Academy in the city’s suburbs where he heads the high-performance coaching program. “I still think she can be competitive. It’s about how efficient she becomes.”

Santoso cited current Badminton World Federation president Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen from Denmark, who won the men’s singles gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games at nearly 31, to highlight how badminton was not just about physical prowess.

“It is also about the mind,” Santoso opined. “You may be a good attacking player, but if you are not strong in the mind, then… A good example is Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen. Back then only those in the 20s were winning. But how did he win?

“He was mentally very strong. It was very difficult to get even one point from him. So how to beat such players? You have to attack the mind.”

Santoso was however happy with India’s talent pool and felt the supply line of champions would long continue. “I see a lot of good young talent. Especially in women’s singles, compared to other countries, India has a lot of potential.”

“But only a few become world’s [best] players. How? The culture has to change. Indians were born clever. But they are not able to manage pain, sorrow and suffering. Many players want the shortest route to success. They do not see it like a process. But you should [aspire to] be the best professional [there is].”