Sports

AFTER Series Of Final Loses, SINDHU Bags Gold

HYDERABAD based ace badminton prodigy PV Sindhu has piped Nozomi Okuhara of Japan  by 21-19, 21-17 to become the first Indian to win a gold medal at the year-ending tournament. 1995 born Pusarla  Venkata Sindhu is also the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal, and one of the two Indian badminton players to ever win an Olympic medal – other being Saina Nehwal also residing in the same metropolis.

PV Sindhu scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Series final title. The Indian shuttler was at her best in a real humdinger of a contest against the Japanese shutter as she walked away with the match 21-19, 21-17. Sindhu, who had finished second in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian games and World Championships, finally broke her title jinx as she dominated Okuhara to win the match in straight sets. Sindhu hoped that the questions over losing various finals won’t be directed at her again and again. Coach Purella  Gopichand lauded his ward for not just winning the final but beating quality players. “Beating them all in one week is special. She finishes the year on a high, she’s had medals at the big events which was the target this year: Worlds, Asiad, Commonwealth Games and Tour finals,” he said.

Gopichand told media “I hadn’t been unduly bothered by her string of final losses, saying it was important only for her own confidence, and not to prove to the world. “There’s been a lot of talk about her not winning the finals. So it was important, not for anybody else, but for Sindhu’s mind – that she locked in the final with confidence,” he said. Speaking on the future, he added, “2020 will be the big one and 2022 Asian Games and CWG are important for us. Having said that, the All England will be our target the next year,” he declared. Ending Finals last year for a brief moment during the match.PV Sindhu was jubilant after winning her maiden gold medal .She will be henceforth focused on the the Olympic Games, she added.

“I would like to thank each and everybody who have supported me and showed me their love. The fans here in Guangzhou have been fantastic. I would also like to thank my coaches, my physios and my sponsors,” Sindhu said after the match.

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