P.V. Sindhu Smashes her way to Olympic Badminton Finals in Rio

Sindhu will face Carolina Marin from Spain in the finals on Friday, August 19, and is assured at least a silver medal.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images/Lars Ronbog]

The 2016 Summer Olympics have been a memorable feat for some of our talented participants. After Dipa Karmakar made headlines by becoming the first female gymnast to enter the finals and Sakshi Malik won the bronze medal in women’s freestyle wrestling, yet another female athlete has made India proud.

P.V. Sindhu created history when she beat Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in the singles badminton semi-finals earlier this week. With her victory, Sindhu has ignited India’s hopes for the silver/gold medal.

Sindhu, who scored 21-19, 21-10 has assured a silver in the finals. She will be facing top-seed Carolina Marin from Spain in the finals on Friday, August 19, and with her game and stamina, she can even bring home our first gold. So far, only Saina Nehwal has brought home a medal in badminton when she won a bronze during the London Olympics.

Here are a few things you need to know about our newest champion:

• Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, aka P.V. Sindhu, is a 21-year-old who hails from Hyderabad.
• She is a protégé of badminton champion, Pullela Gopichand.
• Sindhu is the first Indian woman to reach the badminton finals in Olympics.
• Interestingly, she hails from a family of volleyball players.
• She started playing badminton at the age of 8.
• She used to travel 56 kilometres to Pullela Gopichand’s academy every day to train for four hours. Given the roads and traffic in India, it’s not an easy commute.
• She is ranked #10 in the world among badminton players.
• Her father, P.V. Ramana, is a volleyball player and an Arjuna awardee.

Congratulations have been pouring in from across the globe for the youngster.

Sakshi….Sindhu…. Dono ko Salaam! pic.twitter.com/RFhfUkUpsS

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 18, 2016

Huge congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 on becoming the first #Indian to enter an #Olympic badminton final! #JeetoRio #RuknaNahiHai — Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) August 18, 2016

T 2352 – Never ever underestimate power of female gender ! #PVSindhu you have destroyed so many ‘naysayers’ .. you are the PRIDE of INDIA ! — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 18, 2016

Superb performance @PvSindhu1. You make India proud! Best of luck for the finals. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/kXwqodB3K7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2016

We are so proud of you, P.V. Sindhu!