Indian shuttler K Srikanth admits being weighed down by expectations, but insists he will put his best foot forward at the Rio Olympics next month
India's K Srikanth during the World Superseries final against Chinese Taipei's Tien Chen Chou in Dubai last December
New Delhi: He has endured a lackluster season heading into the Olympics, but ace Indian shuttler K Srikanth yesterday said the low phase has helped him prepare for the Games and he hopes to emerge as the dark horse in Rio next month.
India's K Srikanth during the World Superseries final against Chinese Taipei's Tien Chen Chou in Dubai last December. Pic/Getty Images
Srikanth had the world at his feet when he became the first Indian to win a Super Series Premier men's title in the 2014 China Open after beating two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion Lin Dan in the final.
A win at home in the India Super Series was the icing on the cake and propelled him to World No 3 in June last year but then it all fell apart.
On his journey to Olympic qualification, Srikanth struggled to cross the opening round of the tournaments that he played, especially this year after he won the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in January.
'Was never worried about Olympic qualification'
However, Srikanth said he was never worried about his Olympic qualification.
"I was tense but not for my qualification, it was my game that I was worried about since I knew if I can play well, I will automatically qualify," said Srikanth, currently ranked World No 11.
"I was not worried about my ranking, I was worried because I was not getting time to train. I was playing one event after another whether it was PBL, Malaysia, SAF games, or German Open or ABC, there was simply no time.
"But I think it kind of helped me identify the areas where I need to work on and it helped me in my preparation of Olympics," he explained.
It was in May when the 23-year-old from Andra Pradesh became one of the seven shuttlers to qualify for the Rio Games after the rankings were released.
"I was happy to qualify. It was a big dream. I knew it but in May to actually officially qualify was a big moment. I hope I can make India proud."
At Rio, the world will turn to the rivalry of Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan as they look for ultimate glory in what might turn out to be swansong Olympics for the two old warhorses and Srikanth said he is happy to be the underdog or a dark horse.
"They are the most experienced players who have played in the last 2-3 Olympics and I think they will have an advantage. But it doesn't help everyone all the time," said the 2013 Thailand Grand Prix Gold champion.
"It is tough for the top players because there are too many expectations and pressure, so I am happy being a dark horse or an underdog," added Srikanth.
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