Badminton News: In light of the Paris Olympics, Indian badminton star Kidambi Srikanth has hired an Indonesian coach to help improve his game ahead of next year’s matches.

The qualifying period for the 2024 Olympics starts from May 1 and Srikanth, who is struggling with form, has hired Wiempie Mahardi to help him train.

“I have been trying to get a coach since December 2021 when Agus left. Now I have an Indonesian coach, Wiempie Mahardi. I met him when I went to Indonesia to train for three weeks. He came to India in the last week of April,” former world number one Srikanth told PTI.

India has not appointed a foreign coach for the men’s singles players since the sudden departure of Agus Dwi Santoso from Indonesia in December 2021. After PV Sindhu parted ways with Park Tae Sang in February, the Korean coach helped the men’s singles players.

“I tried to get a trainer through TOPS but somehow it didn’t work out. In January I had sent a proposal to SAI and it has since been postponed. As the Olympic qualifying period also started in May, I couldn’t take more so I decided to do it myself,” said Srikanth.

A former world top 25 player, Mahardi has over 10 years of coaching experience coaching players at various clubs in different countries.

Srikanth enjoyed unprecedented success in 2017 when Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo took on the coaching responsibilities. The Indians won four titles that season. Another Indonesian coach Agus Dwi Santoso marked it when he joined the Indian team in 2020.

“I don’t think it (personal trainer) will work for everyone, but it has worked for me in the past. When Mulyo was there I did very well, and Agus there I well done. So that Indonesian style suits me, that’s why I need a coach,” he said.

“It’s not easy to play without a coach, I mean that’s the minimum requirement for a player,” said the Baseline Ventures-managed player.

However, Srikanth did not have time to train with his new coach as he was taking part in the Asian Games selection trials. He finished top with six wins from as many matches to qualify for the individual event.

“I couldn’t really train with him because after I came back from the Asian Badminton Championships I didn’t have time. I only had two days before the trial and two days after the trial. After that, I hope to have time to train with him.”

Srikanth has endured a turbulent 2023, managing to complete a quarter-final in seven tournaments, which saw his ranking drop from 13th in the world to 22nd.

“I played well in the last few games, but I couldn’t win those tight games. Once I start doing that, it will make a big difference. Let’s see what I can take away from the next four tournaments which I will attend,” said Srikanth.

“Badminton is also growing, someone will come and dominate and people will have to find an alternative formula.”

Srikanth had won silver at the world championships in 2021 before guiding India to a historic Thomas Cup victory last year.

“I did well in 2021 and 2022 until the Commonwealth Games, then the others slowly start to improve and I could stay there. You have to keep improving, and that’s also a big reason to have a coach,” he said.

While only the top 20 players qualify directly for the Asian Games, the 30-year-old from Guntur, ranked 22nd, had to take part in a selection event for the first time.

“I think it’s the first time I’ve taken part in the trials for the Asian Games. I’m ok with that as long as there are fixed rules. Of course, it’s a bit tiring, because I don’t I haven’t played two matches in one day for a long time,” said Srikanth.

“Young players won’t feel it but it was hard for me to play two games. When I was 19-20 I was playing 5-6 games a day, my body was taking the brunt of it but I couldn’t do it. -THE.” my body is going through it now. The Olympic qualifying period has also started and this is a challenge for the players.”

Next up for Srikanth is the Sudirman Cup, the mixed team championship that kicks off in Suzhou, China from May 14.

“We have a strong team, but we have to perform, as happened in the Thomas Cup. I think we have a better team. In previous years we had good singles matches, then we failed in doubles. This time we have a very strong team in singles and doubles,” he said.

India were drawn with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Australia in Group C.

“Last time in the Thomas Cup, in every series that Satwik and Chirag won, it made a big difference. In most of the last Sudirman Cups, we often lost 3-2, it was about a double win against teams like Malaysia, Taipei, Japan or Korea, so they will make a big difference. With our good performances in men’s and women’s doubles, this time definitely gives us a better chance.”

Article tags: kidambi srikanth, Wiempie Mahardi, Indonesia