Gopichand gearing up for Commonwealth Games

Pulella Gopichand is back to his normal self after his second round loss to Malaysian shuttler Hafiz Hashim at the All England badminton championships. He is back at practice and wants to get fully fit as early as possible.

Reflecting on his early exit from the All England championships, he said: "All defeats hurt you. I am also a human being, and, yes, I felt really bad; really hurt after losing to Hafiz.

"He played well and I could not put my act together at all. I had won the first game and came back strongly in the second, but later on things never went my way."

Expressing confidence of doing well in forthcoming tournaments, he said: "I am not one to look back at all. What has happened is over and done with. I am looking forward to get really hundred per cent fit and try to win a medal for India at the Commonwealth Games, which is the next big event on my agenda."

Commenting on his fitness, he said, "Well my plaster came off only in early Febraury and I did not start training till February 20 as the doctors said it may fracture again.

"I had no choice, really. I am still not really able to jump and do the smashes, which give me points. I am told that it takes at least three months for the bone to settle down after a stress fracture, which I suffered from in December, while practicing in Milton Keynes, in the UK."

Asked why he played in the All England despite not being full fit, the ace shuttle said: "I, perhaps, wanted to play desperately and so started training earlier. I could get in only some 5-6 sessions of good practice which obviously was not good enough. On hindsight people may say that I should have gradually worked myself in to my fitness. But I think that I should have played as I did. After all, how long can a compititive sportsman wait."

About the match practice after his injury, he said, "In fact, from December last year I had no match practice at all. But, at least, I got here [to the All England] and did win a round. My ranking will go down but not by much.

"If I had not played here or the Japan Open, coming round the corner, I would have had no match practice at all before the Commonwealth Games, as all countries will be busy with the Thomas/Uber Cup finals in China till June. So I did not have any choice."

His agenda for the future: "I will fly back to Hyderabad after the tournament [All England] and wait till March 20 before getting down to full training and practice.

"I only hope I do not get any more injuries as I have had them all through the last year after winning the All England. I need a break now from these injuries. I also need a lot of luck to get going in may career."