'Fan Of His Game': Parupalli Kashyap 'In Awe Of' Veteran Srikath Kidambi
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Kidambi succumbed 11-21, 9-21 to his Chinese counterpart Li Shifeng in the championship clash in Malaysia, but his journey back from multiple fitness setbacks is one to behold.
Star Indian badminton player Srikanth Kidambi produced an awe-inspiring showing at the Malaysian Masters as the veteran finished second at the prestigious event, after dominating the field en route to the summit clash, in which he was pipped to the crown by Chinese shuttler Li Shifeng.
Kidambi succumbed 11-21, 9-21 to his Chinese counterpart in the championship clash in Malaysia, but his journey back from multiple fitness setbacks is one to behold.
The 32-year-old Kidambi, who has been ravaged by a swathe of chronic injury issues in his shoulder, knee, adductor, and Achilles, has overcome extreme levels of fitness struggles to get back into the mainstream of top-quality badminton.
Coach Parupalli Kashyap also heaped praise on the Malaysian Masters finalists' commitment to the sport and single-mindedness towards regaining his fitness to compete at the top level and wished for a prolonged career for the Indian veteran.
'When we started in late 2023, I felt he was at a very bad fitness level," the 38-year-old said.
It's quite surprising. And I just told him, point blank that, you focus on getting better with your fitness," Kashyap recalls.
Kashyap added that he was elated by Kidambi's return to fitness and expressed his delight in the star's run to the final of the event in Malaysia. The former player also wished to witness veterans Kidambi, HS Prannoy and Sameer Verma a prolonged career on the circuit.
'He's exceptionally talented. He belongs there. It's good things have fallen into place now," Kashyap said.
Kashyap went on to add that the Indian fraternity is in absolute adoration of the seasoned player and recounted the time he was awestruck by the player during his playing time.
'The way he played in this tournament, he looked like a top-10 player. He belongs here. We're always in awe of him,"
'Even when I was competing against him, I was a fan of his game," he concluded.
First Published:
May 25, 2025, 17:40 IST
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