Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu is making waves in the badminton world once again, this time by adding a legendary figure to her coaching team. The star shuttler has enlisted South Korean great Lee Hyun Il as her consulting coach on an interim basis, adding another layer of expertise to her preparation for her anticipated return to action next month. This move comes shortly after the appointment of Anup Sridhar as Sindhu’s interim coach, forming a dynamic duo set to guide Sindhu until December 2024. A decision on a permanent coaching team is expected by that time.
Sindhu is poised to make her comeback at the Finland Open and Denmark Open, both scheduled for October. With the addition of Hyun Il, a former world No. 1 and Sindhu’s teammate during the Premier Badminton League (PBL), Sindhu’s coaching team gains an injection of vast international experience and meticulous preparation. Hyun Il, a 2006 world championship bronze medallist in singles and a double Asian Games team gold medalist (2002 and 2014), is renowned for his attention to detail and strategic approach. The collaboration between Sridhar and Hyun Il aims to create a dynamic coaching duo that blends experience, tactical precision, and a deep understanding of the sport.
Both coaches will play a crucial role in Sindhu’s preparation as she embarks on her post-Olympic campaign and hones her skills for the upcoming European circuit. Sindhu expressed her enthusiasm about the new additions to her team, stating, “I’m thrilled to have Anup and Lee Hyun Il joining my team in this crucial period. Anup’s understanding of Indian badminton and his strategic approach have always impressed me, and I look forward to working closely with him. Having Lee, with his meticulous preparation and legendary experience, is an honour. I’ve always respected his attention to detail, and I can’t wait to learn from him during these next few months.”
Hyun Il, reflecting on joining Sindhu’s team, said, “Working with PV Sindhu was an easy decision. Our previous partnership in the PBL highlighted her fierce determination and exceptional talent. I am excited to contribute to her growth and success in the upcoming tournaments.” The decision to bring in a new coaching team follows the conclusion of coach Agus Dwi Santoso’s contract with the Sports Authority of India. Recognizing the need to streamline her traveling team, Sindhu is actively seeking a coach who can not only provide valuable training but also spar with her, contributing to her day-to-day development.
While embracing the new additions to her team, Sindhu also acknowledged the significant contribution of her former coach, Agus Dwi Santoso, stating, “I truly appreciate coach Agus for all the effort he invested in preparing me for the Olympics. His hard work and commitment were instrumental in getting me back from injury and ready for competition. He became more than just a coach; he became a friend and a guide. I will miss those early morning training sessions with him and will always look up to him. I will also greatly miss that typical Indonesian energy that made three-hour training sessions more fun, as well as our chats after matches and long chants on flights. Any athlete who works with him will be lucky to have such a dedicated coach.”
