Veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy believes the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games could be his final appearance at the continental showpiece, but the 34-year-old is keeping his dream of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics alive.
Prannoy, a bronze medallist in men’s singles at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, is part of India’s 20-member badminton squad in Nagoya. The team event begins on Sunday, with India looking to improve on the silver medal it won three years ago.
“This is probably my last Asian Games. I don’t think I will be able to play at this level after four years. I only want to play at that level, not lower,” Prannoy told PTI.
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The former world No.6, however, is not ready to put a definitive end date on his international career. He said he would use the next 12 to 18 months to determine whether he remains competitive enough to make a realistic push for Los Angeles.
PRANNOY SETS SIGHTS ON ONE LAST ASIAN GAMES GOLD
Prannoy enters the Games encouraged by his recent form and physical condition. He competed at the Vietnam Open last week and said the tournament gave him confidence after a difficult period.
“I am in a good place physically and mentally. I played the Vietnam Open last week and had a decent run after some time,” he said.
His memories of Hangzhou remain particularly strong. India created history by winning its first-ever men’s team badminton medal at the Asian Games, while Prannoy also claimed an individual bronze. The men’s team eventually lost to China in the final, leaving the squad one step short of gold.
“We missed gold by a whisker last time. Hopefully, we can reach the final and win gold this time,” Prannoy said.
The veteran also has a personal reason to remain ambitious. His preparations for the Paris Olympics were disrupted after he contracted chikungunya around 15 days before the Games, making another Olympic opportunity particularly significant.
LA 2028 REMAINS A REALISTIC TARGET
Prannoy’s immediate focus is Nagoya, but he has made it clear that Los Angeles remains part of his long-term thinking.
“My aim is LA 2028. I will push for the next one to one-and-a-half years. If I feel there is a realistic chance of making it to LA, I will continue. Otherwise, I will decide later,” he said.
Prannoy also credited fellow senior shuttler Kidambi Srikanth for motivating him to continue competing at the highest level. He described Srikanth as “probably the best men’s singles player” India has produced.
“Seeing him still play is encouraging and motivating. His results have given me confidence that if he can play, so can I,” Prannoy said.
Prannoy’s career reached its highest ranking of world No. 6 in August 2023, a year in which he also won a World Championships bronze and the Asian Games singles bronze.
For now, Nagoya represents both an opportunity and a possible farewell. Prannoy wants to leave the Asian Games stage with the men’s team finally converting its silver into gold, while giving himself enough time to decide whether one more Olympic campaign is within reach.
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