HS Prannoy Aims for Gold in Final Asian Games Appearance

Prannoy's Last Asian Games Journey

By Vipul Kashyap

Nagoya [Japan], September 18: Indian badminton player HS Prannoy has announced that the upcoming 2026 Asian Games will mark his final participation in this prestigious multi-sport event. He is determined to lead the men's team to a successful campaign following their silver medal achievement in Hangzhou three years prior.

In an interview on the eve of the opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya, Prannoy expressed confidence in the team's preparations, stating that they are aiming for gold this time around.

“This will indeed be my last Asian Games. I am quite certain about that,” the seasoned player remarked.

Having secured a bronze medal in the individual category at the 2022 Asian Games, Prannoy will now focus on the men's team event, as he was not selected for individual competition this year.

Reflecting on his preparations, he noted, “While I won’t be competing individually like last time, I am excited to be part of the team event. Last time, we came so close to winning gold, leading 2-0 in the finals before ultimately losing 3-2.”

The Indian men's team had a remarkable run in Hangzhou, finishing as runners-up after a strong start. Prannoy is optimistic about their chances in Aichi-Nagoya.

“This time, our goal is definitely to secure the gold medal. We have a robust team, and it’s crucial for everyone to work together and support each other, as that’s the essence of team events. I hope we can bond well in the coming days and make a deep run in the tournament,” Prannoy added.

The 34-year-old expressed his eagerness to reach the finals again, recalling the disappointment of narrowly missing out on gold previously.

“We definitely want to reach that final again. After losing last time, the team felt disheartened because we were so close. Being 2-0 up, you feel you’re almost there. But that’s the nature of sports; a single match can change everything. As a team member, I am committed to making it back to the finals and going far in the tournament,” he stated.

Meanwhile, men's doubles player Chirag Shetty shared his excitement about representing India at such a significant event, with the draw ceremony set to determine their first opponents.

“Competing in a multi-sport event while wearing the Indian jersey is incredibly special. The event starts in two days, and we’ll find out our opponents tomorrow during the draw ceremony. Once we know who we’re up against, we can strategize accordingly. I’m really looking forward to it,” Shetty said.

Shetty, who teams up with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, will also participate in the men's team event. The duo made history by winning India’s first-ever gold in men’s doubles at the Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023, defeating South Korea’s Choi Sol-gyu and Kim Won-ho in the final. They aim to defend their title in Japan.

When asked about the challenge of retaining their gold medal, Shetty emphasized the importance of enjoying the competition rather than focusing on past achievements.

“I prefer not to dwell on it too much. I just want to give my best on the court. Yes, we won gold three years ago, but this is a new tournament, and we want to enjoy every moment we spend on the court. When we do that, we tend to play our best badminton,” he explained.

Shetty also expressed hope that the Indian team could provide Prannoy with a memorable farewell in his final Asian Games.

“He has been a tremendous ambassador for Indian badminton, playing a crucial role in our success at events like the Thomas Cup and the Asian Games. We will miss him, and we hope to send him off on a high note,” he added.

India enters the badminton competition with a total of 13 medals from previous Asian Games, with their best performance recorded at Hangzhou 2023, where they secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze.