Pusarla Venkata Sindhu was the toast of the nation on Friday as she became the first-ever woman shuttler from India to be assured of a medal (bronze) in the individual category of the World Championship.
Clearly basking in the shadow of the more illustrious practice partner and London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, Sindhu (19), daughter of Arjuna awardee and former international volleyballer P.V. Ramana, grabbed the headlines for all the right reasons with another terrific performance in the quarter-final. The Hyderabad girl vanquished another Chinese former World No. 1 and seventh-seeded Shixian Wang (21-18, 21-17) on Friday in the on-going World Championship in China.
“I always take it match by match, and I am not too much concerned about the reputations of the players lined up against me,” was her reply when asked about her chances before she left the city for the championship.
“To win big matches, you need to stay focused on the given day. That is the key,” Sindhu says.
Sindhu’s first reaction when she called her parents was predictably full of joy. “I have done it (beating two big-time Chinese players in the quarter and semi-finals). But, still a long way to go. I don’t want to talk too much about the next round of matches,” was what the champion shuttler told them. “Definitely, we are all delighted with Sindhu’s performance,” says Ramana.
Interestingly, the reigning Asian under-19 champion will be the first Hyderabadi woman shuttler to win a medal in singles.
Well, achieving what many can only dream of, Sindhu is now in a mood to focus on two more big days of her career. “Yes, I will try to stay focussed and play to the best of my ability. I have come thus far and hope to finish off on a high,” she signs off.
