PV Sindhu reminisces how her life changed after winning Olympic silver on Aug 20 seven years ago | Badminton News – Times of India

Navigating through one of the most challenging junctures in her career, PV Sindhu, the badminton legend from India, took a moment on Sunday to ponder over the transformative seven years she has experienced. These years have encompassed remarkable achievements, including her groundbreaking victory in the Rio Olympics, as she prepares for the World Championships.
It was on the memorable date of August 20, 2016, when she clinched the silver medal at the Rio Olympics, engaging in an electrifying battle in the women’s singles final against Spain’s Carolina Marin.
Undoubtedly, winning her first Olympic medal marked a pivotal turning point in her life. This achievement served as the catalyst for a string of subsequent victories, propelling her to secure numerous medals in prestigious tournaments such as the World Championships, Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

“Seven years ago, I embarked on a journey that would forever change my life. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it’s been seven long years since that momentous day when I proudly won my first Olympic medal in Rio,” she wrote in a post on social media platform ‘X’, formerly twitter.
“It was a silver, a shining symbol of my dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, and fans.”
Merely 21 years old at that time, Sindhu had relinquished her advantage after winning the first game, ultimately falling 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 to Marin in the intense Olympic final showdown. This encounter marked the inception of a series of similar fierce contests between the two competitors in the years that followed.

“One of the most remarkable chapters of this journey has been the intense rivalry on the court, especially the battles against Carolina. The journey to the final was a testament to the grit and determination that both of us brought to the game,” Sindhu wrote.
“The 3-set marathon final was nothing short of extraordinary, a display of skill, perseverance, and sportsmanship.”
Hailing from Hyderabad and now 28 years of age, Sindhu went on to secure a pair of silver medals in 2017 and 2018, alongside a golden triumph in 2019, at the World Championships, further enhancing her collection that includes two bronze medals. Adding to her accolades, she clinched a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, secured a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, and achieved a Commonwealth Games gold in 2022.

Unfortunately, the current season has not unfolded favorably for her. Following her return to competition after a demanding five-month recuperation period due to an injury, Sindhu has grappled with wavering performance consistency. A string of premature exits from tournaments led to a fall in the rankings, placing her at the 17th position in the world.
“Today, as I stand at this juncture, I’m not just celebrating the medals and the wins. I’m celebrating the spirit of resilience, the pursuit of excellence and the courage to chase dreams,” Sindhu wrote.
“Here’s to the seven years that have been a mix of highs and lows, challenges and victories, but above all, a testament to the power of perseverance!!!”.
Presently holding the 15th spot in women’s singles world rankings, Sindhu remains optimistic that her unwavering determination will, yet again, empower her to triumph over adversities as she embarks on her journey in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the upcoming week.
With a bye granted to Sindhu, she is poised to face the victor emerging from the clash between Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara and Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen.
(With agency inputs)