Tokyo Olympics | Winning back-to-back medals special: Sindhu

Training in Gachibowli Stadium the best decision, says the bronze-winning shuttler

Special one: In Park’s coaching career, Sindhu is the first player to win an Olympic medal. Photo: Twitter/SAIMedia

For P. V. Sindhu, the pain of missing an opportunity to have another crack at the Olympic gold medal now stands replaced by the joy of adding a bronze to her collection.

In the space of less than 24 hours, the World champion experienced extreme emotions this weekend.

In tears

“After the loss in the semifinals (to Tai Tzu Ying), I was really sad. I was in tears but my coach (Park Tae-sang) said it was not over yet. Park reminded me that there is a lot of difference between winning the bronze and coming fourth. That really hit me and I started focusing hard on the match (against He Bingjiao)”

Going on to share the moment when she won the bronze-medal point, Sindhu said, “I was blank, my coach was literally in tears, it was a big moment. I hugged him and said ‘Thank you’. I didn’t know what to do for 5-6 seconds. I shouted, so all emotions came together at that moment. Winning back to back medals was very special.”

Virtual meet

On Monday, Sindhu and her coach Korean coach held a virtual press conference from Tokyo and they were joined by the Badminton Association of India secretary Ajay Singhania.

Highlighting the biggest decision that helped her win a medal in Tokyo, Sindhu said it was the decision to train at Gachibowli Stadium early this year.

It may be recalled that Sindhu and her coach moved out of the Gopi Chand Academy to train at a nearby stadium to get accustomed to the ‘drift’ that was likely to exist at the venue in Tokyo.

“We had this opportunity to play in conditions similar to those in the Olympics. So from February we have been playing there.

The drift factor

It really helped us because drift played a big role (in the playing hall in Tokyo) and I learnt a lot in Gachibowli. In the last few months, I learnt to control the shuttle better.

“Gachibowli has international standard courts with air conditioners, which is important. So I feel it was the best decision.”

Park jubilant

For Park, Sindhu’s bronze medal meant the world. “For the first time in my coaching career, my player has won an Olympic medal,” said the jubilant Korean, a men’s singles quarterfinalist in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“When I took over, Sindhu was already a big Olympic star. We worked very hard on her defence and we were really going for a happy result. I believed in her.

“After the loss in the semifinals, Sindhu was sad. But I thought, if Sindhu wins the bronze, it will be a very big medal. She played very well. So, I am really very happy and I thank Sindhu.”