Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu stressed the importance of mental well-being of athletes after her second group-stage match in women’s singles at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday.
The Rio Olympic silver medalist, who is looking to change the colour of her Olympic medal in Tokyo, was referring to the United States Gymnast Simone Biles who withdrew from the much-anticipated Artistic Gymnastics Team event for USA at the Games on Tuesday.
While it was initially considered an injury, Biles later confirmed that she had pulled out of the team final due to mental health issues. After the vault, Biles had a hasty conference with her team at the side of the runway, looking upset, before walking off the floor with her bag.
However, the 24-year-old, who has won multiple Olympic medals, reappeared in her warm-up suit, watched her teammates snag silver, and even clowned around dancing with fellow teammate Jordan Chiles.
Meditation helping Sindhu’s mental space
Sindhu said athletes need to be at their best, both in terms of mental and physical well-being, if they are to produce their best effort at the Olympics, which is considering the toughest nut to crack.
“Mental health very important for athletes,” PV Sindhu said after sealing a berth in the knockout stages of the women’s singles competition at Tokyo 2020 on Wednesday.
“I am in a very good space physically and mentally. Meditation helps me to be there,” she added.
Sindhu had famously shut herself down from social media in the lead up to the Rio Olympics. Training with Pullela Gopchand, Sindhu was not even using her mobile phones on most days as a rigorous training regime was being followed.
Over the years, Sindhu has grown into a superstar in badminton. She has taken over from Saina Nehwal as the poster girl of Indian badminton. Sindhu won the Olympics silver in Rio and ended a long wait for a major tournament gold when she reigned supreme at the World Championships in Glasgow in 2019.
The reigning world champion comfortably won 2 games in the group stages. She will next face World No. 12 Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in Round of 16 later this week.
