NEW DELHI: Irwansyah Adi Pratama possesses considerable experience in performing under pressure. As the former men's singles coach for Indonesia, a nation where badminton reigns as the most popular and effective national sport, he is well-acquainted with the expectations of both fans and the governing body.

Having successfully coached Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting to significant victories and Olympic accolades, Irwansyah has now assumed the responsibility of mentoring India’s PV Sindhu, aiming to restore her to the pinnacle of women’s singles badminton.

Although it has only been a week and a half, Sindhu is receptive to the Indonesian coach's guidance during her training sessions and matches at the $950,000 India Open, recognizing that Irwansyah has the potential to alter her trajectory in this new Olympic cycle.

“I firmly believe that Sindhu can reclaim her position at the top. That is why I am here,” stated Irwansyah, who is currently training the former world champion in Bengaluru and will accompany her to international competitions.

“Training has been progressing well, but it has only been a short period. We both require time to adjust. My objective is to enhance Sindhu's attacking style. While she is inherently an aggressive player, I aim to increase her speed and power, as that style suits her best. I want her to challenge herself and rebuild her game because I am confident in her abilities. She can achieve great heights, potentially surpassing her previous accomplishments.”

After securing four titles in 2022, the two-time Olympic medallist faced a knee injury that sidelined her for five months. However, her comeback was not as fruitful, as the five-time World Championship medallist experienced several early exits in 2023, managing only one final appearance at the Spain Masters before another ankle injury forced her off the circuit for an additional five months.

The athlete from Hyderabad has fallen out of the world’s top 10 rankings in 2023 for the first time since 2016, currently positioned at No. 16, a rank she has yet to recover.

In 2024, Sindhu performed better, reaching the finals of the Malaysia Masters and advancing to several quarter-finals and semi-finals. However, she has not returned to her peak form, where she could consistently defeat top competitors.

After 28 months without a title, the former world champion secured victory last month at the Syed Modi India International in Lucknow, a Super 300 event that featured no leading players, where Sindhu was the top seed.

“I will strive to bring out the best in her. I aim to make her game more aggressive. Throughout most of my career, I have trained male singles players, and I intend to apply that experience to women’s singles. Sindhu is already a fit athlete, but we will work on enhancing her fitness with the strength conditioning coach, while also focusing on nutrition and physiotherapy,” stated Irwansyah.

“Although Sindhu is 29, age is not the primary concern. What truly matters is her ability to maintain discipline, her dietary choices, her rest, and her commitment to effective training. Every athlete encounters such challenges.”

Irwansyah, who resigned from the Indonesian federation in December after leading Christie to victory at the Asian Championship and the All England last year, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that Sindhu enjoys her time on the court, free from the pressure of results. He aims to convey this message as a friend rather than merely as a coach.

“It is crucial for her to find joy in the game. Enjoyment fosters confidence, which will help Sindhu regain her self-belief. My coaching approach extends beyond training; it involves building a connection with the player for her development. The focus should not solely be on the program; mutual respect is essential. This way, the player can also find enjoyment in training sessions,” concluded Irwansyah.

Read Also: Anup Sridhar Takes Charge as Singapore's Men's Singles Badminton Coach

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