Press Trust of India
Rio de Janeiro, August 19: PV Sindhu said after her badminton women’s singles final loss to Spaniard Carolina Marin that she is happy to finish with a silver medal after her gallant attempt to win a coveted gold for India ended in heart-break at the Rio Olympics here today.
“I ended up with silver medal but I am really happy,” said Sindhu, moments after losing her final clash against the two-time World Champion Marin.
“I’m really proud about it. I’m really happy. I could not win the gold. But I really worked hard. It was anybody’s game.
“A day before a girl has got a bronze, it’s me now. We have all played well. There will be ups and downs in sports like in life. Losing one or two points here and there means winning and losing. I would like to congratulate everyone for their efforts. It’s been a great week for me,” added the 21-year-old who has recently been titled ‘Super Sindhu’.
Sindhu also praised Marin on her Olympic gold. “I also congratulate Carolina. Both of us really wanted to win gold. Ultimately in sport there can be only one winner. And today it was she,” Sindhu stated candidly.
Talking about the final, Sindhu said: “In today’s match we both were attacking and playing aggressive badminton. One has to win and one has to lose. It was her day on centre court today.”
In spite of finishing with the silver, the Hyderabad girl stated that a very bright future awaited badminton. “The future looks good definitely. There are many players coming up, and many more will succeed. Badminton is doing really well in India. We also had Kidambi (Srikanth) reaching the men’s quarterfinals. That was also a very good result,” informed Sindhu.
Meanwhile coach Pullela Gopichand was all praise for the efforts that his pupil had put in. “She’s only 21, so I am sure that Sindhu will bring many more laurels to the country. She’s a strong character, a very hard-working girl. She has made the country proud,” a sober Gopichand told reporters here.
It was however, clear from his face and body language that the loss of the gold medal had affected him. “What more can I say,” he lamented. “She (Sindhu) gave her best. But then at times even that is not enough.
“I would also like to thank the physios who have kept Sindhu in shape for the event,” Gopichand added.