Parupalli Kashyap has become only the second Indian shuttler ever, after his mentor-cum-coach Pullela Gopichand (ranked World No. 4 once) to break into the top 10 world rankings. The 26-year-old Hyderabadi is now World No. 9 and also happens to be the only Indian to figure in the top 10 rankings released by the Badminton World Federation.
“I am really pleased that this has come much before I was actually planning for,” said a visibly delighted Kashyap. “It is always a special feeling when you are rated in the top 10 and I am not going to be content with this. The bigger target is to win more titles at the highest level,” says Kashyap, who also has another first for an Indian men’s player to reach the quarter-finals in Olympics (he did so in the 2012 London edition).
For his part, chief national coach Gopi is equally happy with this achievement. “Frankly, this was a target we set for ourselves by this year-end,” he remarked. “I just hope that he keeps improving and wins some more titles this year to move up the ladder for he has the game and the zeal,” feels the former All England champion.
And, 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal continues to be the World No. 2 in women’s rankings while P.V. Sindhu is World No. 16 now.
