Badminton: I want to win a large match and I need it to be All England, says Sameer Verma
After a season of highs noticed him knocking on the door of worldwide’s top 10, India’s Sameer Verma believes a high-quality attitude and advanced techniques will maintain him in true stead on the All England Championship beginning 10 March in Birmingham. Sameer got here out of the shadows of his illustrious colleague’s final year when he reached the knockout level of the World Tour Finals as a qualifier, using on his identify run at Swiss Open, Hyderabad Open, and Syed Modi International at Lucknow. Two of these titles – Swiss Open and Syed Modi – had been Super 300 activities, and Sameer, who had reached the finals of Hong Kong Super Series in 2016, hopes to obtain his dream of prevailing a higher level tournament while he steps out at the Arena Birmingham for the All England Championship. “I need to win a massive tournament, and I need it to be All England,” Sameer instructed PTI in an interview. The 24-year-antique will open his campaign towards former international champion Viktor Axelsen. “I even have lost twice to him (Viktor Axelsen), but I am no longer too concerned. I performed him around 7-eight months returned. At that time, I changed into no longer at this level. I suppose I am plenty better prepared to take him on,” stated Sameer. “My mindset and approach have stepped forward loads now. I can’t inform about the effects; I am now not thinking about them; however, I experience I’m high-quality organized for the All England this time.”
Sameer, who had completed a pre-quarterfinalist inside the 2016 All England, has played Axelson best twice within the past – the 2018 Indonesia Open and 2011 World Junior Championship. He reached a profession-excessive ranking of global no 11 this January after a stellar run in 2018, and Sameer stated he has the self-belief now to break into the pinnacle 10. The teen from Madhya Pradesh had lost 12-21, 22-20, 21-17 to World No 2 Shi Yuqi of China within the semifinals after protecting the good factor within the 2d recreation. “If I could have gained the World Tour Final or reached the finals, I might have damaged into top 10. The loss in opposition to Shi Yuqi remains in my mind; I bet it’s going only to cross as soon as I win something large. But I even have the concept now; I recognize I can be in that top 10,” Sameer said. Momota challenge Asked to name one participant he could need to face, Sameer said: “I want to play Kento Momota. I had overwhelmed him at Swiss Open; however, I misplaced to him on the World Tour Finals, and I want to check my recreation in opposition to him, compete against him.”
With both the players positioned in separate halves of the draw, they could face the most natural manner at the All England if they attain the finals. It took more than one accident spread over seven years for Sameer to understand that he desires to take care of his frame in preference to chasing results and ranking. With a busy schedule beforehand, Sameer said focusing on thoughts and body will remain his purpose this season. “I suppose I have cared loads for my body closing 12 months. The physios have been with me in tournaments additionally, so it helped. You also have to attend to the food regimen. Nutrition is something I need to think about as it additionally helps in recovery,” he stated.
Results in tournaments don’t be counted because you may not perform on 2-three occasions. However, they may come in the end. Last year, I received the Swiss Open and the Hyderabad Open, but I didn’t do well on all occasions, so I recognize I can go higher.”
The Olympic qualification length starts offevolved from April 29, and the BWF rating list, which might be published on April 30 subsequent year, will determine the spots for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Sameer said he could avoid considering the Olympics as it could create unnecessary strain all through the qualification length. “…You may consider it as a regular event and now not take any strain, and live strain lose. That will be the way I would want to assume because in any other case, it’s going to affect my overall performance,” Sameer stated.
