Explained: As Sindhu trains for Olympics, dissecting Tokyo conditions, and her opposition
While PV Sindhu attempts to simulate Tokyo-like conditions while making use of air-conditioners and blowers to mimic the drift, here's a look at the variables, aerodynamic and otherwise, to make sense of this decision.
Experts feel Sindhu is among the few who can straddle both styles - fast and slow courts (File Photo)
Reigning world champion PV Sindhu will now train at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium, citing her keenness to practise in larger competition halls.
While she attempts to simulate Tokyo-like conditions while making use of air-conditioners and blowers to mimic the drift, here’s a look at the variables, aerodynamic and otherwise, to make sense of this decision.
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Why does a shuttle move differently inside a normal indoor academy and in a large stadium?
The bigger the arena, the greater the air density and resistance – which means the shuttle moves a little slower than in a smaller hall, minus the stands.
Also, the speed and position of the blowers – across the court’s width or on one side lengthwise – can be adjusted to practise for the drift.
Is it an exact simulation of conditions in Tokyo?
Not really. Tokyo is 40 m above sea level, Hyderabad is 542 m, and Bengaluru is 920 m.
The altitude largely determines how fast a shuttle moves. At a higher altitude, there’s less oxygen and the air is thinner – so there is less friction, and the shuttle will move faster in Hyderabad than in Tokyo.
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Though Sindhu might get the feel of playing in a stadium, it is impossible to get a 100 per cent competition simulation at Gachibowli given Tokyo’s Musashino Forest Sports Plaza will have 7,200 spectators, if allowed, depending on the pandemic situation. An exhaling audience even at half capacity, and the A/C switched on to circulate air, can change shuttle speed – and this cannot be simulated in the time of Covid. Recorded crowd sounds can be played, but it’s not the same.
Why is the drift tricky?
“When organisers switch on the A/C, it’s not like a fixed plan – that the draught will move north-south or east-west, or from this side,” former international Arvind Bhat said, adding that while Sindhu will benefit from training in a big arena, it’s not exactly a gamechanger, as she’s never faced a problem adjusting.
“She has played well and won in all types of conditions anyway,” he said.
The speed of the shuttle itself is crucial. Bhat said that manufacturing majors like Yonex and Li Ning make three batches of shuttles for every tournament – fast, medium, and slow.
“The Badminton World Federation decides, let’s say 10-20 days before the Olympics (and a day earlier for circuit events), which one of the three to use. So if you are playing at sea level and courts are going to play slow, then to just give an example, BWF will pick the fast shuttle batch to ensure rallies don’t drag,” he said.
Usually, the same speed shuttle is used for the whole tournament.
Given that BWF picks the shuttle speed, the hosts can’t control all the conditions at the arena.
It would also not make sense for the Japanese, because their women’s singles contenders – Nozomi Okuhara and Akane Yamaguchi – might prefer different conditions, which won’t be the same as what Kento Momota, their men’s singles gold contender, desires or what the men’s and women’s doubles pairings prefer.
Having said that, as hosts, the Japanese players would have trained for years at the Musashino arena, which was the first of the permanent, constructed Olympic venues to be completed on November 25, 2017.
It is also likely that given the Covid rules, the host shuttlers might get longer to acclimatise. “Maybe, they get 10 days before the Olympics and the rest of the world gets three,” Bhat said.
Looking at the competition, what courts and shuttle suit Sindhu best?
Bhat reckons Sindhu is one of the few players who can straddle both styles – fast and slow courts. “She’s somewhere in between. If it’s a fast court, she’ll like playing the Japanese and Koreans who like to rally. On slow courts, she can do well against Carolina Marin, Tai Tzu-Ying, and Ratchanok Intanon. But slow courts demand extreme fitness, so that’ll have to go up,” he said.
What are the other factors at play?
Musashino is a 4,900-square metre main arena, while the GMC Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli is around 2,400 square metres. While July-August can see temperatures of 26.7 degree Celsius on average in Tokyo, the humidity is expected at 80 per cent in August.
Also, players at the recent Thailand Super 1000s were sweating buckets because the A/C was minimally used owing to Covid-19 apprehensions in indoor arenas. What Japan plans to do inside the badminton hall is not known yet.
Shivani Naik is a senior sports journalist and Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is widely considered one of the leading voices in Indian Olympic sports journalism, particularly known for her deep expertise in badminton, wrestling, and basketball.
Professional Profile
Role: Assistant Editor and Columnist at The Indian Express.
Specialization: While she covers a variety of sports, she is the primary authority on badminton for the publication. She also writes extensively about tennis, track and field, wrestling, and gymnastics.
Writing Style: Her work is characterized by "technical storytelling"—breaking down the biomechanics, tactics, and psychological grit of athletes. She often provides "long reads" that explore the personal journeys of athletes beyond the podium.
Key Topics & Recent Coverage (Late 2025)
Shivani Naik’s recent articles (as of December 2025) focus on the evolving landscape of Indian sports as athletes prepare for the 2026 Asian Games and beyond:
Indian Badminton's "Hulks": She has recently written about a new generation of Indian shuttlers characterized by power and physicality, such as Ayush Shetty and Sathish Karunakaran, marking a shift from the traditionally finesse-based Indian style.
PV Sindhu’s Resurgence: A significant portion of her late-2025 work tracks PV Sindhu’s tactical shifts under new coaching, focusing on her "sparkle" and technical tweaks to break out of career slumps.
The "Group of Death": In December 2025, she provided detailed tactical previews for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s campaign in the BWF World Tour Finals.
Tactical Deep Dives: She frequently explores technical trends, such as the rise of "backhand deception" in modern badminton and the importance of court drift management in international arenas.
Legacy and History: She often revisits the careers of legends like Saina Nehwal and Syed Modi, providing historical context to current Indian successes.
Notable Recent Articles
BWF World Tour Finals: Satwik-Chirag have it all to do to get through proverbial Group of Death. (Dec 2025)
The age of Hulks in Indian badminton is here. (Dec 2025)
Treadmill, Yoganidra and building endurance: The themes that defined the resurgence of Gayatri and Treesa. (Dec 2025)
Ayush Shetty beats Kodai Naraoka: Will 20-year-old be the headline act in 2026? (Nov 2025)
Modern Cinderella tale – featuring An Se-young and a shoe that fits snugly. (Nov 2025)
Other Sports Interests
Beyond the court, Shivani is a passionate follower of South African cricket, sometimes writing emotional columns about her irrational support for the Proteas, which started because of love for Graeme Smith's dour and doughty Test playing style despite being a left-hander, and sustained over curiosity over their heartbreaking habit of losing ICC knockouts.
You can follow her detailed analysis and columns on her official Indian Express profile page. ... Read More
