<a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/04/14-year-old-unnati-hooda-named-in-indian-badminton-team-for-asian-games/” title=”14-year-old Unnati Hooda named in Indian Badminton Team for Asian Games”>Priyanshu Rajawat needs to break into the top 10, win tournaments consistently and outclass senior players to compete for a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This year, when India participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics, the contingent had the highest expectations of medals in badminton. India entered the tournament with former world No. 1 Satwik-Chirag, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and men’s singles players who had won the Thomas Cup. We had players like Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy in the team, but unfortunately, never mind gold or silver, we couldn’t even win the bronze medal in the tournament.
Even if the Olympic Games in Los Angeles seem far away, in reality they are not. Developing athletes and allowing them to perform at their best is crucial and takes years. Talking about badminton, with big names like HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth already past their prime, the emergence of young bowlers coming forward has become prominent. Believe it or not, but Priyanshu Rajawat he is a name who could make it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and win a medal for India, but for that he needs to up his game and surpass the current legendary Indian players.
The journey of Priyanshu Rajawat
Priyanshu Rajawat was not an exceptional player when he competed at the youth level. However, when he entered the senior circuit, he started to put in impressive performances. Originally from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, he left his hometown at the age of 8 and began training at the Gopichand academy.
It was in 2022 that he first made headlines as part of India’s historic Thomas Cup-winning team, which marked India’s first-ever title. In 2023 he won the Orleans Masters, proving that he is ready for the challenge of the coming years.
The path to the Los Angeles Olympics and the challenges for Rajawat
However, right now it is not easy for Rajawat to get to the Los Angeles Olympics. You need to work hard and consistently for years. Since his best finish in the BWF is 35, he’s not going anywhere yet. First he has to break into the top 10. Currently ranked 35th with 41,040 points, he is the third highest scoring Indian player after Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy. He needs to win tournaments and improve his ranking to reach the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Rajawat’s upward trajectory
While Priyanshu has shown a growth trajectory since 2022, he is yet to find his best form in the game. He won some tournaments in 2022 and 2023, but has yet to get the silver medal in 2024.
Priyanshu has shown mixed performances at various BWF World Tour events this year, with some standout moments. Notably, he reached the quarterfinals at both the Swiss Open and the US Open, highlighting his potential. Furthermore, he advanced to the second round in major tournaments such as India Open, Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open.
Despite some early eliminations in challenging competitions such as the French Open and the English Open, he is expected to do better in the upcoming tournaments. He needs to work hard to take the place of the elders and reach the top level.
Time will tell Priyanshu’s future
While Priyanshu Rajawat has shown flashes of brilliance, it’s clear that his journey to the Los Angeles Olympics will require even greater effort and determination. If he climbs the ranks, wins more tournaments and continues to hone his skills, Rajawat could emerge as one of India’s medal hopes at the 2028 Olympics. But for now, his focus should be on taking the next step in his career and carve out a place among the elite ranks of world badminton.
