India Open 2024: Lakshya, Prannoy highlight crucial role of Super 750 status in race to Paris Olympics

Asian Games bronze medallist HS Prannoy and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen emphasised the significance of the Super 750 status of the India Open 2024 and how the additional points secured in the tournament will play a crucial role in the Paris Olympics qualificationElevated from the Super 500 to the Super 750 status last year the India Open 2024 organised by the Badminton Association of India BAI is set to take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from January 1621 2024Over the last decade India has emerged as one of the powerhouses of the sport Events like the YonexSunrise India Open have had a key role in this phenomenon as upcoming players and fans get inspired by watching the best players up close This year there is added excitement as the clock ticks closer to Paris 2024 I wish all involved the best of luck in what will no doubt be a super week on the HSBC BWF World Tour said BWF President PoulErik HoslashyerThe prestigious tournament will provide Indian players with the opportunity to accumulate significantly higher ranking points on their home turf thereby enhancing their quest for qualification for the Paris OlympicsThe YonexSunrise India Open has long stood as a legacy tournament for Indian Badminton Being a defining ground for milestone victories and career transformative moments resulting in dreams coming true this championship has always played a strong platform and breeding ground for future champions As we prepare to witness the biggest badminton show in India the electrifying atmosphere and intense competition promise to make the event an unforgettable spectacle for fans from across the country who brave the weather to be there on all seven days remarked BAI General Secretary Sanjay MishraThe 2023 World Championships bronze medallist Prannoy currently ranked 8th in the Race to Paris rankings will be aiming to climb higher in the rankings as he kicks off his campaign against Chou Tien Chen of Chinese TaipeiAlso ReadNo regrets as Naomi Osaka loses at Australian Open on Grand Slam comebackHighlighting the high stakes involved in the tournament HS Prannoy commented ldquoThe YonexSunrise India Open holds immense significance for me but this year is extra special as it will be providing a pedestal to improve my ranking ahead of the summer Olympics Playing on home soil will be an added boost and the support of our fans adds an extra layer of motivationrdquoAs per the Paris Olympics qualification regulations India can have two mens singles players in the Top16 by April 30Currently ranked 17th in the Race to Paris rankings Sen who won the YonexSunrise India Open in 2022 will commence his campaign against the emerging talent Priyanshu Rawat with an eye on securing the coveted second spotldquoWinning the YonexSunrise India Open in 2022 has been a cornerstone in shaping my career and I anticipate a similar influential role of the tournament in the context of Paris qualifications Starting out against Priyanshu will be tough but I am optimistic about my chances of making a deep run in the tournament to make a stride in the rankingsrdquo stated Lakshya SenWith a prize pool of USD 850000 the YonexSunrise India Open 2024 will witness a total of 247 shuttlers from 23 countries who will enthral the fans with their captivating performancesThe reigning World champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand will also be a part of the galaxy of stars gracing the tournament as he gears up to defend his YonexSunrise India Open titleldquoI am thrilled to return to the YonexSunrise India Open as the defending champion The competition promises to be fierce this time but I am ready to showcase my best game and give my all on the court once againrdquo expressed Kunlavut VitidsarnAll the shuttlers inside the current top 10 of the menrsquos singles BWF World Rankings including top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark former World Champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore and Asian Games 2022 bronze medallist Kodai Naraoka of Japan will take the stageIn the womenrsquos singles category threetime champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and the Japanese duo of twotime World Champion Akane Yamaguchi and Rio Olympics bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara are set to competeWith five players in menrsquos singles four in womenrsquos singles ten each in both doubles categories and eight in mixed doubles Japan boasts the largest contingent at the tournament with a total of 37 players competing across all categoriesFollowing Japan China have fielded the second largest contingent comprising 34 players followed by Chinese Taipei with 23 playersAlongside Prannoy and Sen the 10player Indian contingent will be spearheaded by Asian Games gold medallists Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy in the menrsquos doubles and former World No 1 Kidambi Srikanth in the menrsquos singles categoryIn womenrsquos doubles the pairs of Treesa JollyGayatri Gopichand and Ashwini PonnappaTanisha Crasto will be aiming to strengthen their position in the Race to Paris rankingsWith inputs from agencies