‘One of the Best Badminton Matches’: Sindhu’s Coach Full of Praise

PV Sindhu and Okuhara fought tooth and nail in the gripping final match of the World Badminton Championship.

PV Sindhu played brilliantly at the World Badminton Championship.

(Photo: AP)

Just over a year after she became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic silver, PV Sindhu once again made history at the World Badminton Championship. She returned home on 29 August with a Silver medal to her name.

On 27 August, in Glasgow, the Indian ace fought till the end in a final that lasted just under two hours, ultimately settling for silver in a heart-wrenching match.

Sindhu addressed a press conference in Hyderabad on 29 August with Pullela Gopichand, India’s chief national coach.

It is mentally and physically tiring, but at that moment you only think of winning the point because it’s the World Championship finals... I was just thinking that I have to play. 

PV Sindhu, badminton player

Sindhu and Okuhara fought tooth and nail in the gripping final match, described by many as the best women’s singles final in recent times. The Japanese national won 21-19 20-22 22-20.

The two played an incredible 73-shot rally before closing the second game.

In the longest match of the tournament, which tested the physical and mental strength of the players, Sindhu lost after battling hard for one hour and 49 minutes.

It was great the way both the players played. I am very proud of the way Sindhu responded... For me, it was one of the best matches the world of badminton has seen.... We all would love to come back with a gold.

Pullela Gopichand, India’s chief national coach

The loss may be hard to accept right now for Sindhu, but the silver she won in Glasgow makes her the second Indian women’s badminton player to finish second at the World Championships, after Saina Nehwal.

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj