P.V. Sindhu thanks fans, promises more medals for India
New baminton world champion has Indian prime minister among her admirers
New Delhi: Following her historic victory at the World Championships, star shuttler P.V. Sindhu said she was very proud to be an Indian and would try to win more medals for the country in the times to come.
On Sunday, Sindhu became the first Indian shuttler to win gold at the BWF World Championships after she thrashed Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the final of the women’s singles event in Basel, Switzerland.
“It’s a great moment for me. I am really very proud to be an Indian. I wish I will get many more medals for the country,” Sindhu told reporters upon her arrival in the national capital on Tuesday.
“Hard work is the key to success. I would like to thank each and every fan of mine. It’s because of their love and support that I am here,” she added.
It was her fifth medal at the world championships, which is the joint highest in women’s singles in the history of the tournament along with Xhang Ning of China, a two-time Olympic gold medallist.
Apart from the two silvers that Sindhu won in the last two editions, she had also won the bronze in 2013 and 2014.
The 24-year-old had earlier said that after missing out on the previous two occasions where she lost to Okuhara and Carolina Marin in 2017 and 2018 respectively, she was desperate to win the title this year.
“It’s a very important win for me because after two bronze and two silver medals, I really wanted the title. I was expecting this for a long time and now finally it has happened. So, I’m really happy,” she had said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sindhu and wished her luck for her future endeavours. “India’s pride, a champion who has brought home a gold and lots of glory! Happy to have met P.V. Sindhu. Congratulated her and wished her the very best for her future endeavours,” tweeted Modi.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sindhu also met federal Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. “Honoured P.V. Sindhu who created history and made India proud by winning the world badminton championship for the first time. My best wishes to her in her pursuit to bring more glory to India,” Rijiju tweeted after meeting Sindhu.
Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to win a world championships medal with men’s singles bronze in 1983, while Saina Nehwal bagged the women’s singles silver and bronze in 2015 and 2017.