In an Olympic qualification year, BWF rankings are hardly of any significance, due to the stringent rules, that allow only the top 16 players in each category to secure berths. Paris 2024 is no different, as the players are putting their best foot forward to achieve qualification, where only a maximum of two entries from a nation, can go through.
As for now, the Indian contingent seems to be in a spot of bother, as only one player/team seems to be making the cut. As per the Race to Paris rankings, in men’s singles, veteran HS Prannoy is in the eighth spot, while time seems to be running out for Lakshya Sen, who is 19th right now.
In the women’s singles, PV Sindhu is in the 11th spot, with no other Indian in contention. The 28-year-old is going through rehab after suffering a knee injury last year and is expected to make a comeback soon. As for men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty are all but through and are fourth in the Race to Paris Rankings.
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Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, there is a big surprise, with the relatively new team of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto at the 11th qualification spot. The team of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are nowhere in the fray for now, after a disappointing 2023.
