The whole nation watched avidly as P V Sindhu battled World No. 1 Carolina Marin for the gold in the badminton singles Olympic event. There was a huge collective cheer as Sindhu took the first set but Marin showed her class and tenacity thereafter. When Sindhu finally conceded in a tough three game match - 19-21, 21-12, 21-15, many Indian supporters were crestfallen, but most acknowledged Sindhu’s huge achievement at coming so far in her first Olympic outing, winning the silver medal, of decimating higher ranked opponents and ultimately losing only to the best of the best.
Not only will more people be naming their daughters Sindhu, many more kids will now play badminton. Parents may protest less about their kids’ sporting proclivities because this Olympics has changed the way India views the Olympic sport. Hopefully Sindhu’s most valuable contribution will be more than just making a billion people happy; it will be the fillip that Indian sport urgently needs… sport other than cricket that is.
Not only is she the first Indian woman to have won a silver medal at the Olympics, she is only the fifth Indian woman to have won any sort of Olympic medal. Before her, weight lifter Karnam Malleswari boxer Mary Kom, badminton player Saina Nehwal and most recently Sakshi Malik won bronze medals.
Sindhu did well to take the first set but the World Champ Marin kept her resolve. The way Marin broke down and cried lying face down on the court after winning was proof of what a tough contender she found Sindhu to be.
The most topical of ad campaigns, the decades long Amul campaign with the distinctive Amul Girl had this to say.
While people were either delighted and proud or somewhat crestfallen that the elusive gold had remained out of reach, P V Sindhu herself was the picture of dignity and grace even in defeat as she helped her opponent off the floor, hugged her and picked up her racket
It isn’t losing when you're playing the reigning world champion! There was more outpouring of love, respect and admiration.
And when Shobha De said “P V Sindhu Silver Princess?”The tweeples and assorted trolls were delighted and had various ways respond.
Earlier Olympic medalists and Cricket World Cup winners all had words of congratulations and respect.
He is proud to have a picture with her!
As with all our sports and other officials, the money and other accolades don’t come when an athlete is hard at work acquiring skill, practicing and participating in important fixtures often at their own expense. Now, however she gets a BMW from V Chamundeshwarnath, president of Hyderabad District Badminton Association, 1 crore from the Telengana goverment, 50 lakhs from the MP government and various sporting associations have also announced cash gifts.
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