The Sports-India Community

Restarting the debate ? For me he was world class after he won earlier set of super series titles early this year. Let others who have more stringent criteria for world class comment.

Nope Just creating trouble That is my self-assigned role here.

Why did we not discuss him at all in this thread for over 2 years between 2015 and 2017?? Actually just 1 post in the 2.5 year period between late 2014 when he broke out, till this summer. What happened?

Because he fell of the cliff in the intervening period. Did not win much and fell from # 5 to outside top 30 in the ranking. This year he is back on the rise and in a big way.

I guess the years without an Asiad or Olympics is typically when our sportsmen decide to do well and become unbeatable ... Hopefully he won't fall off the cliff for 3 years, but that's a long time

True. Despite the loss of form, he was doing pretty well in Rio Olympics, beat Jorgensen and came close to beating Lin Dan in the QF. Just got a bit nervous in the end and lost a few key points.

I think he has become much stronger this year mentally and physically looking at his consistent results at this level. But, yes 3 years is a long time and anything can happen. First target should be to win an Asiad medal next year. That would be an achievement close to winning an Olympic medal in badminton.

Srikanth Kidambi crowned as new world no 1 becomes first Indian male shuttler to do so

it's time to change the title.

Y2K wrote: ↑Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:40 amit's time to change the title.

Changed. But I tell you, as I mentioned above in November last year, he must be the least discussed world #1 we have ever had in any sports.

Y2K wrote: ↑Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:55 am Srikanth Kidambi crowned as new world no 1 becomes first Indian male shuttler to do so

Prakash was the first.

Thread title is still not changed

^^ Okay, now it is changed

Actually it is a bit odd time that he has become world #1 when he has not done that well since start of the year. It would have been more appropriate if he had got that last year when he had set the stage on fire with 4 super series titles.
Let's hope he seals with a commonwealth individual gold at least to start with and then the more difficult gold at Asiad in August and then even more difficult Olympic gold in Tokyo. Then, everyone will notice.

And I hope he won't go the way I was saying above - doing badly in even-numbered years when there is no Olympics, Asiad, or Commonwealth, and doing well in odd-numbered years. Based on what you say, he is doing just what I feared, so far this year. Let's hope it changes right now!

The main reason it is a bit underwhelming is that he has reached to #1 without winning a medal (of any colour) at a world championships or Olympics.

Add the fact that his actual form has been poor since November.