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Rio 2016: Sindhu on cloud nine after silver-medal feat

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Rio 2016: Sindhu on cloud nine after silver-medal feat

Delhi - Sindhu settled for the white medal after being beaten 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 by World No.1 Carolina Marin of Spain.

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Published: Sat 20 Aug 2016, 7:08 AM

Last updated: Sun 21 Aug 2016, 9:33 AM

After bagging a historic silver in women's singles badminton competition at the Rio Olympics, an elated P.V. Sindhu on Friday said she implemented all the strategies and gave her best to achieve the feat.
WATCH: Sindhu first Indian woman to win Olympic silver
Sindhu settled for the white medal after being beaten 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 by World No.1 Carolina Marin of Spain.
Her silver took India's tally to two medals after wrestler Sakshi Malik settled for the bronze in the 58 kilogram Freestyle category on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old said she was proud to bag the silver medal although she felt a gold would have been better:

"I am really proud that I could get a silver medal at Olympics. A gold would have been good but I played very well."
"Initially, I did not think I would win a medal. But when I came into medal contention the aim was to play well, which I did. I played my best. My opponent also played a good game."
"I implemented all the strategies which we had discussed, and I am very happy that I could get a silver."
On Friday evening, the nation came to a standstill with people glued to television sets as Sindhu took on Marin at the Riocentro - Pavilion 4 in the hard-fought summit clash, which lasted one hour and 20 minutes.
Olympics: Parents rejoice hard fight put up by Sindhu
The Hyderabadi started on a positive note but after 3-3, the Spaniard dominated the proceedings and took four consecutive points to lead 7-3 and then 9-5.
Unperturbed by the pressure of the occasion and her towering opponent, Sindhu controlled her nerves and displayed swift court movements and hit bodyline smashes to diminish the lead to 13-15.
Sindhu, who was trailing 16-19 at one point, fought her heart out and took five points on the trot to claim the first game in 27 minutes.
Carolina, who can annoy any player with her shuttle retrieving techniques, looked like a spectator as it was Sindhu who reversed the roles to clinch the first game 21-19.
In the second game, Carolina, dubbed the "Girl Nadal in Spain" after male tennis star Rafael Nadal, attacked from the start. The Indian couldn't manage to control the torrent of attacks and trailed 2-11 at the mid-game break.
After the break, Sindhu tried to bounce back and displayed a lot of power and strength to dismantle the strategy of the Spanish opponent but failed and relinquished the second game 12-21.
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In the decider, Carolina got off to a flying start as she took a five-point lead in the initial stage at 6-1.
But Sindhu, who was on a giant-killing spree after dismissing two higher-ranked opponents in competition, displayed grit to pull level at 10-10. Carolina went into the mid-game interval leading by a slender one point margin.
After the breather, the duo continued to fight for each point valiantly but it was the more experienced Carolina who proved superior. Sindhu though kept herself within a touching distance of Carolina at 14-16.
But Sindhu was left powerless when Carolina upped the ante to pull ahead 19-14. She edged closer to match point with a half smash and eventually clinched the contest 21-15.
PV Sindhu, Pullela Gopichand to receive cash awards from BAI
Announcing cash awards for both Sindhu and her coach Pullela Gopichand, Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta said, "I congratulate her for this historical achievement and bringing laurels for India.
This is a huge milestone in Indian Badminton fraternity and it shows the strength of Indian badminton at the world stage. This silver medal will surely motivate lakhs of children to take up the sport and inspire them perform above their ability. On behalf of BAI and Indian Badminton fraternity, I am congratulating her again for marvellous achievement."
"I also congratulate coach P Gopichand who again took India to new heights. Padma Bhushan Gopichand brought many laurels in his playing days and now his players are achieving new feats. Indian Badminton fraternity is very lucky to have a coach and mentor like him," he added.

President, PM, Sonia congratulate Sindhu
Irrespective of the colour of the medal, Sindhu emerged the apple of the eye for every Indian citizen as President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi took to social networking website Twitter to congratulate the shuttler.

In his congratulatory message, PM Modi said: 
Calling the silver medal feat as "the most precious jewel in the crown of Mother India", Sonia Gandhi said:
"Her silver medal is the most precious jewel in the crown of Mother India today and she has set examples for generation to come."
In a series of tweets, Sports Minister Vijay Goel said: 


Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the shuttler saying: 

Athens Olympics silver medallist shooter and now junior Minister for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said:
London Olympics bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom in her message said:
Tennis legend Leander Paes also took to Twitter to wish the shuttler:
 

 
 



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