PV Sindhu Must Examine Her Potential Opponents Ahead Of Olympics: Vimal Kumar

Tokyo Games: Vimal Kumar said there is still a lot of time and PV Sindhu needs to work on her strategies against potential opponents ahead of the Olympics.

Absence of defending champion Carolina Marin will be an advantage but there are at least six more title contenders at the Tokyo Games and PV Sindhu must examine their past performances to devise a proper strategy, says former India chief coach Vimal Kumar. Sindhu had to settle for a silver five years back at the Rio Games after going down against Marin. The three-time world champion from Spain has pulled out of the Tokyo Games after suffering a knee injury. "Marin was a strong contender for the gold and her absence will be felt. So many players will have an advantage not just Sindhu. Sindhu is definitely in with a chance for the gold but there are at least six other girls who can claim the title," Vimal told PTI. "Tai Tzu Ying, the two Japanese girls Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara are strong contenders. I am not sure about the two Chinese girls, Chen Yufei and He Binjiao. I haven't seen them play of late, so don't know how prepared they are or how they will perform. Ratchanok Inthanon also can be tricky." "It will also boil down to that particular day, who is in the right mental and physical conditions on that day to pull through. So it is still very open, anybody from these six girls can be 1-2-3," he said.