PV Sindhu is a household name in India, and for all the right reasons. She has become a symbol of hope, perseverance, and success for millions of young athletes in the country. Her journey from a small town girl to an international badminton superstar is nothing short of inspiring. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into her life and career, and understand what makes her such a beloved and celebrated figure in Indian sports.
Introduction
PV Sindhu, born on July 5, 1995, in Hyderabad, India, is a professional badminton player who has made the country proud with her achievements on the court. She first rose to prominence in 2012 when she won a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships. Since then, she has gone on to win several major titles, including the World Championship and Olympic silver medals. She has been ranked as high as world number 2 in women’s singles badminton, and is the first Indian woman to achieve this feat.
Sindhu’s success on the court has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired the next generation of badminton players in the country. She is often hailed as the face of Indian badminton and has been instrumental in popularizing the sport among the masses. Let’s now take a closer look at her early life and background.
Early Life and Background
PV Sindhu was born to parents P.V. Ramana and P. Vijaya, both former volleyball players. Her father, P.V. Ramana, was part of the Indian national volleyball team that won the bronze medal at the 1986 Asian Games. Her mother, P. Vijaya, was part of the Indian volleyball team that won the silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games.
Growing up in a family of athletes, it was only natural for Sindhu to develop an interest in sports. She started playing badminton at the age of 8, and it wasn’t long before she showed promise and talent in the sport. Initially, she trained under the guidance of Mehboob Ali at the Indian Railway Institute of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications in Secunderabad. Later on, she moved to Pullela Gopichand’s academy, where she received more advanced training.
Badminton Career Beginnings
Sindhu’s career as a professional badminton player began in 2009 when she won the Under-14 singles title at the Sub-Junior National Badminton Championships. The very next year, she won the gold medal in the same event and also went on to win the doubles title. In 2012, she made her senior international debut at the Indonesia International Challenge and reached the quarter-finals.
Her big breakthrough came in 2013 when she won her first Grand Prix Gold title at the Malaysia Open. She then went on to win the Macau Open, becoming the youngest Indian to win a Grand Prix Gold title at the age of 18. In 2014, she made her debut at the Commonwealth Games and helped India win a bronze medal in the team event. She also won a bronze medal in the singles event, becoming the first Indian woman to win a singles medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Rise to Success
In 2015, PV Sindhu made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal at the World Championships. She lost to Spain’s Carolina Marin in the final but captured the hearts of millions of Indians with her performance. The following year, she won the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold, defeating Olympic champion Li Xuerui in the final.
She continued her impressive form in 2016 by winning the China Open, becoming the second Indian woman after Saina Nehwal to achieve this feat. Sindhu then went on to represent India at the Rio Olympics and became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in badminton. She lost to Carolina Marin once again in the final, but her performance earned her respect and admiration from all over the world.
In 2017, Sindhu reached the finals of the World Championships for the second time in a row and won the silver medal. She also won the Korea Open Super Series and reached her career-high ranking of world number 2. In 2018, she won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and reached the finals of the Asian Games, losing to Tai Tzu Ying.
Achievements and Awards
PV Sindhu’s list of achievements is long and impressive. She has won a total of 16 individual titles, including two World Championship medals, two Olympic medals, and six Super Series titles. She has also been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honor in India.
Sindhu’s most significant achievement came in 2019 when she became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championships. In a nail-biting final against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara, she emerged victorious and etched her name in history books. This victory also made her the first Indian woman to win a World Championship title.
Apart from her sporting achievements, Sindhu has also been recognized for her contribution to society. She has been appointed as the deputy collector by the Andhra Pradesh government and has been actively involved in spreading awareness about health and education in rural areas.
Impact on Indian Badminton
PV Sindhu’s success on the international stage has had a significant impact on Indian badminton. Her performances have inspired young players to take up the sport and work towards achieving their dreams. She has also helped make badminton a popular sport in India, with more and more people showing interest and support for the game.
Sindhu has also paved the way for other Indian women badminton players to succeed at the highest level. Her rivalry with fellow Indian player Saina Nehwal has brought more attention to the sport and has helped raise the standard of badminton in the country. She has also been actively involved in promoting the Premier Badminton League, which has provided a platform for young players to showcase their talent.
Personal Life
PV Sindhu is known for her dedication and hard work on the court, but off the court, she is a fun-loving and down-to-earth person. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and has a keen interest in fashion and music. She is also an avid reader and loves to unwind by reading books.
Sindhu’s parents have played a vital role in her success and continue to be her biggest supporters. She shares a close bond with her sister, Divyaram Pusarla, who is also a national-level badminton player. Sindhu is not very vocal about her personal life and prefers to keep it private, focusing on her career and philanthropic endeavors.
Conclusion
PV Sindhu has undoubtedly cemented her place as one of the greatest badminton players in Indian history. Her journey from a small town girl to a global superstar has been nothing short of extraordinary. Through her hard work, determination, and passion for the sport, she has become an inspiration to millions of aspiring athletes in the country.
As she continues to make India proud with her achievements on the court, PV Sindhu’s legacy will live on for generations to come. She has proven that with talent, perseverance, and the right support, anything is possible. As a country, we look forward to seeing more of Sindhu’s magic on the court and cheering her on every step of the way.
