Malvika Bansod: Upsetting Olympic Champions Elevated My Confidence to Compete with Top 10 Shuttlers

New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod feels a sense of pride regarding her performances in the 2024 BWF season, yet she recognizes that success comes with the obligation to keep delivering. Malvika, who has triumphed over Olympic medallists on two occasions in her career — Saina Nehwal in 2022 and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in 2024 — stated that such significant victories have strengthened her belief that she can take on the top 10 ranked players and emerge victorious.

"When I embarked on my badminton journey, I never imagined I would even get the chance to see Saina play. Therefore, competing against her was like a dream realized. Winning that match and performing well was truly exhilarating," Malvika shared with IANS in an interview organized by JetSynthesys.

"It significantly boosted my self-confidence. Following that victory, I gained recognition not just in India, but internationally as well. Winning against the reigning Olympic bronze medallist Gregoria was another match that enhanced my confidence. It confirmed that I can compete with the best in the world and win, although I noted areas where I could improve."

"When facing the world’s top 10, certain aspects are evident. We secured the win, but each match has its positives and negatives. A player must remain vigilant to recognize these and focus on improvements. I learned valuable lessons from my matches, including the final at the Hylo Open. I now understand where I need to enhance my game," she added.

Malvika rose to prominence after being the runner-up at the 2022 Syed Modi International during her debut BWF tour, upsetting her idol, Saina, an Olympic bronze medallist. She further stunned another Olympic medallist, Gregoria of Indonesia, a Paris 2024 bronze winner, at the China Open and reached the final of the Hylo Open, making her the third Indian female singles player, after Saina and PV Sindhu, to reach the final of a BWF tour event outside India.

"It was an incredible feeling to be the third Indian woman to compete in a final outside of India. I felt immense pride in my achievement at that moment. However, alongside that pride is a responsibility to maintain my performance. There's still much to learn. Sharing this accomplishment with two legendary players is fantastic, yet it comes with the understanding that I have much work ahead," Malvika remarked.

In 2023, Malvika encountered a challenging period with her health, facing medical issues, including dengue and typhoid. Reflecting on her recovery and the process of regaining her strength to return to the court, she explained, "I contracted both dengue and typhoid simultaneously. Recovering from that was a significant challenge. I must express my gratitude for my family's support during this time; without them, I wouldn't have had the strength to bounce back so effectively."

"I had to put in considerable effort to restore my health to normal levels and then focus on rebuilding my strength, as both illnesses left me quite weak. Badminton requires a lot of energy, making recovery a tough task," she continued.

After regaining her full strength, Malvika made a triumphant return to competition in February 2024, securing the women’s singles title at the Azerbaijan International badminton tournament. Later in September, she shocked Paris 2024 bronze medallist Gregoria in straight games, once again joining the ranks of Sindhu and Saina by advancing to the quarterfinals of the Super 1000 China Open.

"This year started positively for me in 2024 with the victory at the Azerbaijan challenge. I gradually focused on my diet and fitness. It was a challenge, but I managed everything on my own. I take pride in my strong comeback and my recent performances," Malvika stated.

When Malvika achieved a stunning victory over World No. 6 Gregoria at the China Open, she did so without her travelling coach.

Regarding her mindset while competing without a coach, the 23-year-old shuttler explained, "It depends on how a player has developed. I have always contributed my insights into my training regimen. On-court, my coach oversees my performance.

"However, off-court, I've gained experience by observing elite players like Sindhu and Lakshya, which has helped me take charge of my fitness routine. Some players prefer having a coach for both on-court and off-court training, but I am comfortable training without one. That said, at the top-10 level, professional guidance is essential, and I completely agree with that."

When discussing her goals for the coming year, Malvika mentioned, "Next, I’m targeting the Malaysia Open in January, followed by the India Open. These are significant upcoming tournaments, and thereafter, the All England, known as the premier event in the global badminton circuit."

"These tournaments are part of my plan to break into the top 25 and 20, and then work my way up to the top 15 and eventually the top 10. Consistency is crucial for reaching the top 10, and that is my focus," she revealed.

On her association with Real Sports and JetSynthesys, Malvika expressed, "I am grateful to them for including me in their team and look forward to a robust partnership. I am confident they will be part of a remarkable journey."

"Malvika’s journey exemplifies talent, determination, and perseverance, which aligns with Real Sports' mission to support and nurture world-class athletes from India," stated Rajan Navani, founder and CEO of JetSynthesys.

"Malvika Bansod embodies the next generation of Indian badminton talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Real Sports. We see tremendous potential for meaningful engagement with her and her growing fan base," added Tarish Bhatt, chief business officer at Real Sports.