The talented Indian shuttler PV Sindhu is firing up her preparation for the Paris Olympics in 2024 as she looks to win a third Olympic medal. The five-time World Championship medallist and double Olympic champion talked about her feelings just after taking home the silver in 2016 Rio Olympics, as she prepares for the world event. PV Sindhu enthralled a whole nation with her performance in the women’s singles final against Spain’s Carolina Marin.
“I was the first Indian woman in badminton to get a silver, and I had no words because, frankly, It was unexpected. Always thought, ‘Okay, I need to give my best. I need to play my game and give my hundred per cent.’ And it was my first Olympics, and I came back from an injury in 2015.” said Sindhu revisiting the moment.
“It was my first Olympics, and I was just thinking one match at a time. Okay, so, you know, it’s not easy. The top of the top, who are going to be at the Olympics, and I was just thinking that it’s just one match at a time. I did not think when I was playing the first one. I did not think that, ‘Oh, I have to play the finals.’ she added.
“‘Yeah, I have to be self-confident,’ but you can’t be overconfident. So yeah, for me, each match, each point mattered. I wasn’t thinking about what was the next day. I was thinking about what is at that moment,”. she added.
Earning her first Olympic medal was a watershed moment in her life. This triumph sparked a streak of successive successes, driving her to multiple medals in renowned championships such as the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. However, like every success story, Sindhu also had to overcome her fears, speaking on the note she said:
I would say, starting off in 2015, I had a stress fracture. I mean, I was out for six months. And they said it was a 10 mm crack. I was like, ‘Wow, what’s next?’ And I thought, ‘Will I be qualified? Will I play? Will it be fine?’ I had so many questions in my mind. I was wondering if I could come back, do well, and play at my 100%. ” Sindhu added.
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Finally, in 2016, Rio appeared, only 16 are qualified, and I was 13th. I thought, ‘Okay, I’m finally in.’ When we went to the Olympics, I was like, ‘This is it.’ Of course, this is before and now in between, I would say. We had matches, our draws were out, and I had a tough draw. I thought, ‘Okay, let me do what I can do. I need to give my best.'” she concluded.
