P Gopichand launches book on mental strength and pressure management in Hyderabad

Renowned badminton coach P Gopichand launched a new book, "The Glyder Advantage – Beat the Pressure. Perform at Your Best," in Hyderabad on July 8, 2026. Co-authored by globally renowned sports psychologist Dr Sandy Gordon alongside behavioural science and learning science experts Gopinathan C P and Ritu Vinayak, the book introduces twelve evidence-based mental skills used by elite athletes to help individuals perform under pressure.

The book adapts the mental strategies of champions across various sports to the pressures of everyday life, including work, exams, sport, and business. The authors argue that underperformance under pressure is common and inevitable, even for talented individuals. However, they assert that the solution lies in practical mental skills that anyone can learn.

Actor, presenter, and writer Anu Hasan moderated the conversation during the launch event. Dr Gordon, who has served as a performance coach for three ICC World Cup finalist teams, joined the session virtually from Australia.

Dr Gordon shared insights from his thirty years on the field with elite athletes across Cricket World Cups, Olympic programmes, and other sports. He explained that the mental tools helping a champion recover from a crushing loss are the same tools a student needs after a bad exam result, or an employee needs after a failed pitch.

Co-author Gopinathan C P emphasized the need for localized context in mental strength discussions. He noted that most conversations around mental strength in India borrow from Western books, which require mental translation to make sense to local readers. The authors aimed to use recognizable stories to connect the science directly to the readers' lives.

Ritu Vinayak, also a co-author, explained that the book's goal was to provide readers with actionable techniques rather than just a list of things to reflect on. She stated that every chapter ends with a practical technique that readers can use immediately to meet pressure in a structured and applicable way.