Parupalli Kashyap is India’s entry in the men’s singles badminton at the London Olympics. For the last four months, he and fellow-shuttler Ajay Jayaram were locked in a fierce battle for that lone berth to London. In the end, it was he who pipped Ajay to that flight, with some help from Chinese player Chen Jin, who withdrew from his quarter-final clash against Kashyap, giving him an entry into the semi-finals, at the India Open.

The 25-year-old Kashyap, who battles an asthmatic condition as much as his opponent every time he steps on court, spoke to T S Sudhir about what went through his mind during the India Open, as he kept one eye on Jayaram’s progress, and his preparations for the upcoming Games.

Congratulations on qualifying for the London Olympics. You really had to labour for it.

Thanks. Oh, yes, I am happy that I qualified. Since my injury at the Syed Modi tournament in December, I lost my way, and the last four months Ajay Jayaram was ahead of me on points. I missed playing three crucial tournaments. Coming into the India Open Super Series, I was 1000 points behind Ajay and I knew I had to play two rounds more than him to be able to earn a berth for London. My second round match against Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand was really tough. I knew I had to win it to keep my hopes alive for the Olympics.

Was London always at the back of your mind while you were playing in the India Open?

In fact, when I was playing my second round match, Ajay was playing against Lee Chong Wei on the adjoining court. My thoughts were scattered all over. Usually I do not bother about a game that is going on on another court, but this time I was keeping an eye on the scores and found Ajay was doing well in the match, which went into three games. I was more drained mentally than physically!