Hyderabad: P.V. Sindhu’s parents Ramana and Vijaya couldn’t help but break into beaming smiles as cheers erupted around them. Their daughter, quite possibly Indian badminton’s new poster girl, had just assured herself of a silver medal by storming into the Olympic women’s singles final on Thursday. “All credit goes to coach Pullela Gopichand,” Ramana said. “He’s been there with her since the beginning of her career and it was only because of his guidance that she got to where she is today,” said the former volleyball international and Arjuna Awardee. And where Sindhu is today, is rarefied atmosphere — she is the only badminton player to reach the final at the Olympics.
“Silver is fine. Sindhu will win the gold tomorrow,” Ramana said, also giving credit to the coaching staff at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy for raising Sindhu’s game to another level, and also for working on her net play. Vijaya too reflected that sentiment. “She will definitely win gold tomorrow,” she said. It won’t be easy for Sindhu. She will, after all, take on World No.1 Carolina Marin in the historic title clash. But no player is better equipped for the task than Sindhu, who’s cut down higher-ranked players like Nozomi Okuhara in the semifinals, and Tai Tzu Ying in the quarters on her way to the final.
