Parupalli Kashyap ecstatic over qualifying for London Olympics – Badminton News
India must be smiling as their top male shuttler Parupalli Kashyap unexpectedly cleared the quarter-final round of Yonex Sunrise India Open and he is now dancing on air after getting a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.
World Number 30 Kashyap was in an Olympic qualification race with Ajay Jayaram and he was trailing behind with 1000 ranking points. He was looking to pocket valuable ranking points in the India Open.
World Number 27 Ajay Jayaram crashed out of second round and Kashyap buried his hopes by playing two rounds more than his competitor.
The quarter-final win cemented his spot in the mega event and Kashyap was over the moon as he expressed that it was a dream come true. He also added that he was fully prepared to compete against Chen Jin but still was very happy to get a surprising walkover.
He said, "I came prepared for the match but I am happy with the walkover. After the Commonwealth Games, I wanted to play at the Olympics. It was always a dream and I am happy."
Former national number one P. Kashyap got injured in previous season and missed couple of prestigious events which ultimately tipped the balance of tussle in Jayaram’s favour as he captured the position of top Indian shuttler in the world ranking.
Now, this home event was last chance for Kashyap to regain his status and he relished the opportunity as he first outclassed Thai shuttler Boonsak Ponsana in pre quarter-finals and then won quarter-final without playing even a single shot against Chinese
maestro Chen Jin.
Kashyap believes that his victory over Boonsak set the foundation and now he is in high spirits to clear the semi-final hurdle by utilising his past experience.
He said, "I think the match against Boonsak was crucial. I wouldn't have been here if I would not have won that match. I am looking forward to tomorrow's match. It is a dream to play in the final. I have played my semifinal rival in France."
However, another challenge awaits him in the second last round of the event as he will be up against the Korean campaigner Shon Wan Ho who has alarmed all the shuttlers after beating the Danish ace Peter Hoeg Gade in the quarter-finals of the India Open.
Tags: