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Why Your Favorite Puma Store Now Says PVMA: The Answer Will Amaze You!

January 15, 2025, 8:47 am

Puma stores across India recently displayed signage showing “PVMA” instead of the iconic “Puma.” This generated much curiosity and debate on social media, ranging from spelling errors to bold marketing tactics. The answer was a tribute to badminton star PV Sindhu as she was announced brand ambassador for Puma.

Puma Celebrates PV Sindhu Partnership

The alteration of signage was part of Puma’s innovative campaign to honour PV Sindhu and celebrate their collaboration. As part of this partnership, Puma announced plans to create a high-performance badminton range, including specialized footwear, apparel, and accessories. These products will debut at the 2025 India Open, aiming to elevate the sport’s stature in the country.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sindhu to the Puma family. Her legacy and vision align perfectly with our commitment to fostering sports in India,” said Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of Puma India.

Elevating Badminton in India

Badminton, which has grown by 65% in popularity over the last four years, ranks as India’s second most popular urban sport after cricket. The sport boasts 57 million fans nationwide, with a significant 27 million from Gen Z, according to the Google-Deloitte Think Sports 2024 report.

Sindhu, widely regarded as one of India’s greatest badminton icons, has played a pivotal role in this growth. She made history as the first Indian to secure five medals at the Badminton World Championships and has excelled in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.

A Legacy of Excellence

Beyond her sporting achievements, Sindhu’s influence extends to global recognition. She has earned prestigious accolades like the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan and featured on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes in 2024. With 4 million followers on Instagram, she remains the most-followed badminton player globally.

“I’m proud to join Puma and contribute to promoting badminton and inspiring young players across India,” Sindhu said.

This collaboration not only strengthens Puma’s presence in India but also positions badminton as a sport of the future, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence.

Nitesh Kumar Wins India’s Second Paralympic Gold In Badminton At Paris Games

September 2, 2024, 5:16 pm

Nitesh Kumar secured India’s second gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, triumphing in a thrilling men’s singles SL3 final against Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell. In a highly anticipated showdown between the top two seeds, Nitesh, the highest-seeded player, emerged victorious with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, after an intense battle lasting an hour and 20 minutes. This win marks Nitesh’s first Paralympic medal.

India’s success in Paralympic badminton continues with this third gold medal, following the achievements of Pramod Bhagat (SL3) and Krishna Nagar (SH6) at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where they also claimed top podium spots.

The SL3 classification is for players with moderate mobility challenges, which may affect one side of their body, both legs, or result from limb absence. These athletes compete standing on a half-width court, where movement is limited, but their shot-making abilities remain fully intact.

Also Read: Jodie Grinham Makes History, Becomes First Pregnant Athlete To Win A Paralympics Medal

Who is Nitish Kumar?

Nitish Kumar

Nitesh Kumar, 29, who triumphed over Daniel Bethell in the Paralympic men’s singles SL3 final, secured a remarkable victory, marking his dominance on the international stage. This win ensures that India continues to shine in the SL3 category, following Pramod Bhagat’s gold at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, when para badminton made its debut.

Nitish Kumar’s Journey

Nitesh’s journey to this achievement is nothing short of inspiring. His first love was football, but a tragic accident in Vizag in 2009 left him with permanent leg damage, shattering his aspirations and confining him to bed for months. Despite this setback, Nitesh’s passion for sports remained undeterred.

While studying at IIT Mandi, he discovered a new passion for badminton. He diligently honed his skills, often challenging able-bodied players on the court. In 2016, Nitesh represented Haryana at the Para Nationals in Faridabad, where he made an impressive debut by winning a bronze medal. The following year, he continued to excel, clinching silver in singles and bronze in doubles at the national championships.

His crowning achievement came in 2020 when he defeated Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod and Manoj to win gold at the National Championship, cementing his position as one of India’s leading para-badminton athletes. Beyond his national success, Nitesh has also excelled internationally, winning numerous medals. Now, with his Paralympic debut, he has added yet another prestigious medal to his collection.

Lakshya Sen Creates History: First Indian to Reach Badminton Semi-Finals in Olympics Men’s Singles

August 2, 2024, 11:16 pm

Lakshya Sen made history on Friday by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the men’s singles semi-finals at the Olympics. In a hard-fought quarterfinal match that lasted xx minutes, Lakshya defeated Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei with a final score of 19-21, 21-15, 21-12. This remarkable achievement makes him the third Indian to reach the semi-finals in Olympic badminton, following in the footsteps of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, with Sindhu being the only Indian shuttler to have reached the final.

Lakshya will face the winner of the match between top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the men’s semi-final.

WATCH: “Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent” Proves Lakshya Sen with His Outrageous Behind-the-Back Shot

July 31, 2024, 7:22 pm

Form is temporary, but class is permanent. Lakshya Sen pulled a rabbit out of the hat during his crucial singles badminton clash with Indonesia’s world number 4 Jonatan Christie at the Paris Games 2024 on Wednesday. Making waves on the internet, Lakshya produced an internet-breaking moment during his thrilling encounter. The Indian shuttler manufactured a jaw-dropping behind-the-back shot to claim a rally against the fourth seed.

https://twitter.com/Katakbureaucrat/status/1818581605494980984

Lakshya’s ‘in-Sen’ backhand masterclass became the talk of the town on the internet. “An incredible retrieve on the backhand from Lakshya Sen and a spectacular comeback!” a user on X wrote. “Lakshya Sen giving us a backhand masterclass,” another fan added. Progressing to the pre-quarterfinals of the Olympics men’s singles badminton tournament, Lakshya bagged a straight-game win over Indonesia’s world number 4 Christie, defeating him 21-18, 21-12.

The reigning All-England and Asian champion, Lakshya Sen, showed his remarkable skills and determination, particularly in the first set where he managed to cover up a lead and find his rhythm quickly. “It was a really tough match today, happy with the way I played. And especially in the first set it was crucial to cover up the lead and find my rhythm quickly. And then it was a matter of a few points in the end which I just stuck in there and played well,” World No. 22 Sen said after the match in Paris.

In the second game, Lakshya looked much more in control, displaying his readiness for the round of 16. Sen outclassed Tokyo Olympics semifinalist Kevin Cordon in the opening Group L match on Sunday. His match was later deleted after the Guatemalan shuttler pulled out due to a left elbow injury.

India’s Sen could potentially meet his compatriot HS Prannoy in the pre-quarterfinals of the Summer Games 2024. Senior badminton player Prannoy squared off against Vietnam’s Le Duc Phat later in the day. Earlier, PV Sindhu also stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s singles event with a comfortable win over Kristin Kuuba of Estonia 21-5, 21-10 in her second and last Group M match.

Lakshya’s stunning performance and his incredible backhand shot have captured the imagination of badminton fans worldwide, cementing his status as one of the most exciting talents in the sport.

Paris Olympics 2024: Lakshya Sen Advances to Pre-Quarters After Win Over Jonatan Christie

July 31, 2024, 5:31 pm

At the Paris Olympics, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen secured his place in the pre-quarters of the badminton men’s singles event with a convincing win over Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie. Sen defeated Christie 21-18, 21-12 in a match that lasted 50 minutes at the La Chapelle Arena. He dominated the game, winning the first set with an early lead of 8-2 and maintaining control to close out the match.

Earlier, on Monday, Sen had also triumphed over Belgium’s Julien Carraggi in straight sets, 21-19, 21-14, in a match that lasted 43 minutes. Sen managed to overcome a four-point deficit in the first game and displayed a commanding performance in the second game.

However, Sen’s victory over Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon, which took place on Sunday, was later nullified. Cordon withdrew from the Olympics due to a left elbow injury, and as per BWF General Competition Regulations, the result of that match was deleted. Sen had previously won against Cordon 21-8, 22-20, with a strong start and a dramatic comeback in the second game where he won six consecutive points after being down.

Sen has topped Group L and will be advancing to the Round of 16, where he could potentially face fellow Indian shuttler HS Prannoy. The pre-quarterfinals are scheduled to start on Thursday.

July 30 Olympics: Indian Athletes Gear Up For A Day Of Action In Badminton, Shooting, Tennis, And More!

July 30, 2024, 2:30 am

As the Olympic Games continue, July 30 promises an action-packed day with a diverse lineup of events. Here’s a comprehensive look at the schedule, featuring some of India’s top athletes competing across various sports.

Badminton: kicks off at 12 pm with group stage matches in both the men’s and women’s singles, where H.S. Prannoy and Lakshya Sen will represent India. P.V. Sindhu will also be in action in the women’s singles group stage. The men’s doubles group stage will feature Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, while Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa will compete in the women’s doubles group stage.

Shooting: events start at 12:30 pm with qualifications in the Trap Men’s category, featuring Prithviraj Tondaiman, and the Trap Women’s category, with Rajeshwari Kumari and Shreyasi Singh. The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Medal Rounds will follow at 1 pm, subject to earlier qualification.

Table Tennis: fans can tune in at 1:30 pm for the Round of 32 matches in both men’s singles (Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai) and women’s singles (Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula).

Rowing: will see the Men’s Single Sculls Quarterfinals at 1:40 pm, depending on qualification results.

Boxing: matches start at 2:30 pm with the Men’s 51kg Round of 16 and continue at 3:50 pm with the Women’s 54kg Round of 16, subject to qualification.

Equestrian: enthusiasts can catch the Dressage Individual Day 1 featuring Anush Agarwalla at 2:30 pm.

Archery: will see action starting at 3:30 pm with the Men’s and Women’s Individual Round of 64, followed by the Round of 32 later in the afternoon.

Tennis: fans can enjoy the Men’s Singles 2nd round and Men’s Doubles 3rd round matches from 3:30 pm, contingent on earlier results.

Hockey: will feature a group stage match between India and Ireland at 4:45 pm.

Finally, Shooting: enthusiasts can look forward to the Men’s Trap Final at 7 pm, provided qualifications are met.

As the day unfolds, keep an eye on these exciting events and support our athletes as they strive for Olympic glory.

Watch: President Droupadi Murmu Play Badminton With Saina Nehwal

July 10, 2024, 11:08 pm

President Droupadi Murmu took to the badminton court with ace shuttler Saina Nehwal at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi today. The event showcased a spirited match between the nation’s leader and the badminton star, highlighting the President’s enthusiasm for the sport and her commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

The session, held at the prestigious Rashtrapati Bhavan badminton court, saw both players exchanging shots in a friendly yet competitive game. The presence of Saina Nehwal, a celebrated badminton champion, added a special touch to the event, reflecting the inspiring blend of leadership and athletic excellence.

#WATCH | President Droupadi Murmu played badminton with ace shuttler Saina Nehwal at the Badminton Court in Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi today.

(Video: Rashtrapati Bhavan) pic.twitter.com/sLmFqQSMtk

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2024

The video of the match, released by Rashtrapati Bhavan, captures the energetic interaction between President Droupadi Murmu and Sania Nehwal, offering a glimpse into a unique and engaging moment at the official residence of the President of India. This event not only emphasizes the importance of sports in fostering community and health but also celebrates the connection between national leadership and sporting icons.

Malaysia Masters: PV Sindhu, Sumeeth-Sikki Move To Pre-Quarterfinals

May 22, 2024, 5:22 pm

Indian shuttler and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinal round of the Malaysia Masters badminton tournament on Wednesday.

In her round of 32 match, she registered an easy win over Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland by 21-17, 21-16 in two straight games.
In the other mixed doubles round of 32 match, the Indian pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and N. Sikki Reddy also moved to the pre-quarterfinals following 21-15, 12-21, 21-17 win over Lui Chun Wai and FU Chi Yan of Hong Kong.

In their round of 32 encounter, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath, another Indian couple, were defeated 16-21, 13-21 by Dejan Ferdinansyah and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Kiran George, Aakarshi Kashyap, Ashmita Chaliha, and Unnati Hooda are some of the players that will be representing India later today.
Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur is hosting the Malaysia Masters from May 21 to May 26. It’s a Super 500 level Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour competition. Women’s singles champion PV Sindhu won the title twice in the competition, in 2013 and 2016, while Saina Nehwal won it in 2017.

In the previous year’s final, HS Prannoy defeated Weng Hongyang of China by scores of 21-19, 13-21, and 21-18 to win the title as well.

Thailand Open was won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty last week.
They added another trophy to their trophy cabinet by easily defeating Liu Yi and Chen Bo Yang of China in straight sets. They won their first Thailand Open championship back in 2019, therefore they currently hold two titles. ‘Sat-Chi’ moved up two spots to take back the top spot with 99,670 points in the most recent BWF rankings, which were released on Tuesday.
They won the French Open in March, therefore this is their second championship of the year.

Former World Number One Kento Momota Bids Goodbye to International Badminton

April 18, 2024, 1:42 pm

Japan’s Momota, once the dominant force in badminton, clinched 11 titles in 2019 and only suffered six losses out of 73 matches that year. However, his trajectory shifted dramatically when a fatal accident occurred in January 2020, following his victory at the Malaysia Masters. Enduring a fractured eye socket, he underwent surgery, sidelining him for a year. Upon his return, Momota grappled with double vision and struggled to reclaim his former prowess, despite securing two additional titles.

Reflecting on the accident, he confessed to questioning, “Why me?” Now ranked 52nd and excluded from the Paris Olympics, Momota plans to retire from Japan’s national team after the Thomas Cup in China this month, opting to compete solely in domestic tournaments in Japan.

Despite facing numerous challenges post-accident, Momota expressed no regrets about his decision to step away from elite badminton, aiming to advocate for the sport in Japan. He emphasized the support he received during his toughest times and emphasized his desire to rebound from adversity.

Although he aimed for the Paris Olympics, Momota’s national ranking fell short, compounded by his past ban from the 2016 Rio Olympics due to gambling. Disappointed by his early exit at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Momota viewed it as a learning experience and advised his Japanese teammates to stay composed and give their best efforts in Paris, focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

India’s Lakshya Sen wins Canada Open 2023 title

July 10, 2023, 1:40 pm

The commonwealth Games gold medalist, Lakshya Sen secured his second BWF World Tour after winning the Indian Open in 2022. In the Round of 32 in the Canada Open, Lakshya Sen’s opening match was against Thailand’s badminton player Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Sen defeated him 21-18 and 21-15. In Round 16, Lakshya Sen faced Brazil’s Ygor Coelho de Oliveira. Sen triumphed over him by winning 21-15 and 21-11.

In the quarter-final match, he faced German badminton player Julien Carraggi. This was the only match of Lakshya Sen which went into the third set in the Canada Open. Sen won the first set by 21-8 but in the second set, the German gave a tough fight and won the stage by 21-17. Eventually, Sen flexed his muscles in the third set by winning 21-10.
In the semi-final, the 21-year-old trounced Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto by 21-17 and 21-14.
In the final Lakshya faced China’s Li Shi Feng and outclassed him by winning in straight sets 21-18 and 22-20.
Meanwhile, double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu failed to book a finale ticket after losing 14-21 15-21 to world No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in her women’s singles semifinal.

Prannoy, Treesa, Gayatri climb new career highs in BWF World Rankings

May 17, 2023, 4:35 pm

Ace Indian shuttler HS Prannoy accomplished his career-best rank of number seven, while the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also reached a new peak in their careers in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) Rankings.

In the rankings issued on Tuesday, Prannoy reached the seventh number spot in the men’s singles category by jumping two spots, while Treesa-Gayatri climbed two spots to reach the world number 15 position, as per the Badminton Association of India (BAI) Media. “Prannoy and Treesa-Gayatri climb up to achieve their new career-high rank: @badmintonphoto @himantabiswa| @sanjay091968| @lakhaniarun1 #BWFWorldRankings #IndiaontheRise #Badminton,” tweeted BAI Media.

Prannoy and Treesa-Gayatri are currently part of the Indian team that is playing in the Sudirman Cup in China. Prannoy had earlier reached the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Championships earlier in April, but his tournament was cut short due to injury.

Treesa and Gayatri had defeated the Indonesian duo of Lanny Tria Mayasari and Ribika Sugiarto 17-21, 21-17, and 21-18 in their round of 32 match of the Asian Championships, but pulled out of the tournament due to an injury.

Virat, Anushka’s badminton match surprises followers, bat for “Let There Be Sport” initiative

April 25, 2023, 12:33 pm

Indian actor Anushka Sharma and cricket legend Virat Kohli surprised fans in Bengaluru on Monday with a badminton match to emphasise the value of sports in daily life and support India’s on-going revolutionary initiative “Let There Be Sport,” which challenges the widespread belief that sports are a distraction from academics.

Virat commented on the event by saying, “Sports must be an essential component of everyone’s life. I’m happy that PUMA saw the need and stepped up to the plate to emphasise how crucial it is to make it an essential like other essentials. Taking time out of our busy schedules to meet locals and interrupt a meeting at the co-working space to encourage staff to do fitness challenges was a lot of fun.”

The ‘Let There Be Sport’ movement was exactly what was needed. Sports should be given the same priority in both high schools and colleges because participating in sports when you’re young will keep you physically healthy over time. Taking on these athletic challenges and mingling with the people of Bengaluru, where I spent a large portion of my formative years, was amazing. Additionally, I had a great time playing impromptu badminton with Virat and the residents today,” Anushka said.

Recently, Virat participated in the ‘Let There Be Sport’ Conclave alongside legendary player Sunil Chhetri. The two discussed the importance of sports and fitness in the nation while also sharing motivational tales from their own journeys. Along with including its brand ambassadors Virat, MC Mary Kom, Sunil, Avani Lekhara, and Bhagwani Devi alongside daily athletes, the conclave also aired a 90-second digital film.

Sindhu drops out of top 10 for first time since 2016 in BWF rankings

March 29, 2023, 4:16 pm

Indian shuttler and Olympic medalist PV Sindhu dropped out of the top 10 of the women’s singles Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings for the first time since November 2016.

The two-time Olympic medalist, who had won silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, fell two places to the 11 spot on Tuesday, as per Olympics.com. Sindhu made it to the top ten for the first time in August 2013 and has been amongst the elite shuttlers worldwide since November 2016. The former world champion’s best ranking is world number 2 as of April 2017.

The 27-year-old has struggled for form this season since her comeback from an injury following her gold medal triumph in the women’s singles competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She recently parted ways with her South Korean coach, Park Tae-sang, and made her return to the court at the Malaysian Open and Indian Open this year. However, these two outings were extremely forgettable, as she bowed out of both competitions in the first round itself.

She was a part of the bronze medal-winning Indian team at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2023 back in February in Doha. Later, she skipped the Thailand Masters, Indonesia Masters, and German Open as well.

Her poor form continued at the All England Open 2023, where she crashed out after the first round after a loss to China’s Zhang Yi Man in straight games. She also failed to defend her women’s singles title at the 2023 Swiss Open, only making it to the second round.

She will be seen in action at the Madrid Masters 2023 on Wednesday, facing Switzerland’s Jenjira Stadelmann in the round of 32. She beat her Stadelmann at the Swiss Open 2023. In the men’s singles competition, HS Prannoy retained his status as the top-ranked player in the country, positioned at number eight in the men’s singles competition, while Kidambi Srikanth slipped to 21 place. The Commonwealth Games champion in men’s singles, Lakshya Sen, is at number 25.

The star Indian men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have solidified their position at world number six after their title win at the Swiss Open 2023. The women’s doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly also kept intact their world number 18 rank.

CWG: Lakshya Sen clinches gold medal; defeats Malaysia’s, Tze Yong

August 8, 2022, 5:11 pm

The Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has made India proud by winning the Men’s Badminton Singles Gold by beating Malaysia’s Tze Yong on Monday.

Sen won the last two sets by 19-21, 21-9, 21-16. After losing the first game the Indian shuttler made a remarkable comeback.

Taking to Twitter PM Narendra Modi congratulated Sen and said, “Elated by the accomplishment of @lakshya_sen. Congratulations on winning the Gold medal in Badminton. He’s played excellently through the CWG and showed outstanding resilience during the Finals. He is India’s pride. Best wishes to him for his future endeavours.”

Earlier today, Indian shuttler PV Sindhu clinched India’s first gold medal in Badminton at Commonwealth Games 2022.

The Indian shuttler Sindhu defeated Canada’s Michelle Li in the final.

“The phenomenal @PVsindhu is a champion of champions! She repeatedly shows what excellence is all about. Her dedication and commitment is awe-inspiring. Congratulations to her on winning the Gold medal at the CWG. Wishing her the best for her future endeavours,” PM Modi said.

Moreover, Hockey’s gold medal match started between India vs Australia.

However, the tenth day of the Commonwealth Games witnessed the laudable victory of the Indian players. On the tenth day across all the sports, including hockey, squash, table tennis, boxing, and athletics, players are moving forward to the final day to cap off with some gold.