PV Sindhu's coach Kim Ji Hyun quits: Details here
In what comes as a setback for Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, her long-time coach Kim Ji Hyun of South Korea has resigned, citing personal reasons. The decision does come as a shock to Sindhu, who had been doing exceptionally well under her of late, having also won the BWF World Championships gold last month. Here are further details on this.
Considering further on her reason to step down, it is being reported that Kim would be traveling to New Zealand to attend her ailing husband, Ritchie Marr. He had reportedly suffered a neuro stroke around 14 days back.
"He [Marr] suffered a kind of neuro stroke sometime during the World Championship. So, she rushed back. She needs to take care of him as it will take around four to six months for him to recover," said national badminton coach, Pullela Gopichand, to PTI.
As Sindhu created history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Championships gold, it is to be noted that Kim played a pivotal role in it. Both had developed a good rapport, while Sindhu credited much of her success of late to the South Korean. Kim is the third foreign coach to have resigned following an incomplete tenure.
Kim's resignation could not have come at a bad time when Sindhu is preparing herself for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Nonetheless, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) are working quickly to find a suitable replacement. "We are trying to get someone to fill in her boots. But it will be again a stop-gap arrangement. We need to find a permanent solution," added Gopichand.
Following has been Sindhu's performance in 2019 so far: PBL: Hyderabad Hunters (semis) Indonesia Masters: Quarters Indian National Badminton Championships: Runners-up All England Badminton Championships: First round India Open: Semis Malaysian Open: Quarters Singapore Open: Semis Indonesia Open: Runners-up Japan Open: Quarters World Championships: Gold
