Prakash Padukone, the legend was seen back in action even at 68! The purpose was to rejuvenate his two precious students, Lakshya Sen and P V Sindhu, especially the Rio Olympics silver medallist in 2014. She needed a jerk that she should not be content with Olympics silver. 

Padukone’s observation that Sindhu’s fitness level was not at all up to the mark looking forward to fulfil her dream of gold medal in the upcoming Paris Olympics worked as a big booster.

Padukone reportedly informed if he had to re-start travelling with a player after 25 years, he needed that player to meet his standards of excellence.

“Prakash sir told Sindhu (and Lakshya Sen) in no uncertain terms, that he demands that they take responsibility for their careers. He told them they were privileged to have a good team but shouldn’t expect everyone will do things for them. Sindhu and Lakshya were never not in the best shape. But now they are in incredible shape,” revealed Viren Rasquinha while speaking to The Indian Express. 

Rasquinha is heading Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) projects, brought Sindhu’s Bangalore team together.

It was a hard conversation with Sindhu, Rasquinha informs, after she requested Padukone to be courtside. “Her fitness was way below Prakash sir’s standards, though to a layman she might have appeared fit. He told her ‘I will agree to work with you, if you get fit and pass all sports science tests,'” 

Rasquinha was thrilled and added, “Padukone was only going to be dragged out of his contented semi-retirement and he is back on court with Sindhu. For the first time, I am seeing so much enthusiasm and he is on court every day. He’s 68, but his approach is refreshingly modern,”