PV Sindhu and Park Tae-Sang: Highlights from inconsistent partnership that fell apart

The coach announced the player's decision to move on from South Korean.

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu knows how to find her own way. And not just her accolades at 27 but also her past relationship with the coaches remains a testament to that. The next step in the current juncture of her inspiring career, however, remains extremely crucial in the Olympic cycle as she recently parted ways with coach Park Tae-Sang.

Sindhu wanted a change after her inconsistent run in recent tournaments. The South Korean coach, in response, took responsibility for her disappointing moves and respected the decision.

"I'd like to talk about my relationship with Sindhu, which many people have asked about. She has made disappointing moves in all recent matches, and as a coach, I feel responsible. So she wanted a change and said she would find a new coach. I decided to respect and follow her decision," he wrote in an Instagram post.

“I’m sorry I can’t be with her until the next Olympics, but now I’m going to support her from afar. I will remember every moment with her. I would like to thank everyone who has been supporting and encouraging me.”

Even though the recent performances became the catalyst for the major decision, the ever-smiling and modest Tae-Sang tried to improve Sindhu's game, during his tenure. KhelNow dives deep to look at how the Sindhu-Tae-Sang journey and its key highlights.

Tae-Sang brought tactical changes

The most impactful tactical change that Tae-Sang brought in Sindhu's game was in the defence. The tall shuttler added multiple strokes to her game which added to her defensive resilience which came along with smoothening of her moments on the court. But the defence-heavy game didn't seem tactically viable against her top counterparts.

Tae-Sang also brought a new system in place for Sindhu. He wanted the Hyderabad native to participate in even the smallest tournament possible and win. In fact, before Sindhu’s loss to Supanida Katethong at the India Open which saw the curtains fall on their partnership, the South Korean wanted to put the Tokyo 2022 silver medalist in the right frame of mind to be prepared for the 2024 Olympic qualification cycle. But the plans did not materialise as Sindhu was reluctant to take part in minor events.

The success story

Tae-Sang, by his own admission, was under pressure when he was appointed as the coach of the then-Rio 2016 silver medalist. His nervousness was also visible on the sidelines of the court in Tokyo 2020. But he helped Sindhu carve out a slice of the history of her own as she defeated China's He Bingjiao for the bronze. The podium finish was even more commendable as she overcame her close rival and Tokyo 2020 fourth seed Akane Yamaguchi in the quarter-finals, making Sindhu the undisputed queen of Indian badminton.

In fact, the former World Champion added another gold to her trophy cabinet under the watchful eyes of her South Korean coach, in the women's singles event of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, UK. She defeated 2014 CWG champion Michelle Li of Canada to stand atop the podium.

But that was not the only success that the PV Sindhu-Tae-Sang era saw as the 27-year-old bagged the bronze in Asian Championships after a close loss against Yamaguchi in the semi-finals.

The way forward

A coaching change is inevitable for Sindhu with the qualification period for Paris 2024 beginning in May. Sindhu will be assisted by former All-England champion Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, who has joined the Suchitra Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. The 27-year-old currently goes to Suchitra for strength and takes conditioning coaching under trainer Srikanth Verma.