Super Sindhu: The Making Of India's Greatest Ever Shuttler

Sindhu’s relentless hard work has made her the champion she is today, say friends and peers

- Suhas Yellapantula

As PV Sindhu let out an emotional shriek after beating China’s He Bing Jiao to win the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, the nation erupted in celebration of the first Indian woman athlete to win 2 Olympic medals. With 5 World Championship medals (including a Gold), 2 medals at Asian Games,2 Commonwealth Games medals and now 2 Olympic medals, Sindhu has cemented her status as Indian badminton’s GOAT and one of the country’s greatest athletes ever. But behind all the medals and glory is a quiet, sincere determination and a never-say-die attitude that has helped her become the champion player that she is. While the world is witnessing Sindhu’s brilliance at the biggest stage, her peers and fellow shuttlers share that it’s her unquenchable thirst to get better, tireless work ethic and the ability to rise to the occasion that sets her apart. Hyderabad Times listens in as some of Sindhu’s fellow shuttlers react to her sensational bronze medal win and tell us why it doesn’t surprise them.

SINDHU IS A BIG-MATCH PLAYER; SHE HAS A GREAT ABILITY TO PEAK AT THE RIGHT MOMENT: P KASHYAP

I’m Sindhu’s senior at the badminton academy and I’ve literally seen her grow as an athlete. The effort that she has put in through the years is now there for all to see on the biggest stage. Very rarely does a player reach a big event and delivers straight away — Sindhu did that at the 2013 World Championships. Since then, she’s been performing consistently at big tournaments. She’s truly a big match player. I think her ability to peak at crucial times makes her standout. Her coaching staff too deserve some credit for their support as well. Back at the academy, all my conversations with Sindhu revolve around the sport. Can’t wait for her to come back so we can discuss her fantastic performance. She has made us all so proud.