Agencies
Hyderabad, August 22: Rio Olympics silver medallist PV.Sindhu, who returned home Monday here to a rousing reception, said she believed in herself and did not think of medals. Meanwhile her coach Pullela Gopichand stated that this is just the beginning for the shuttler and she will bring many more laurels for the country in future.
The lanky shuttler while talking to reporters here stated that she had ‘belief’ in her abilities. “I never thought of winning a medal. I took it one match at a time, winning one match was more important for me. We planned accordingly,” Sindhu asserted. “I gave it my 100 per cent in every game and the results came automatically.”
Sindhu also stated that she had never thought that her dream of winning a medal would be fulfilled in her first Olympics itself.
“I had always dreamt of possessing an Olympic medal, but never thought I would get it in my first outing itself,” she stated with a 1000-watt smile lighting up the entire room. “Definitely it will help me move forwards and I will try and keep the country’s flag flying.”
The success of the shuttler and her on court aggression has given birth to the tagline of ‘Sindhuism’. However, Sindhu stated that she is not aware of the development. “Actually, for three months I did not have my phone so I was not aware of the developments. Also rather than being a role model for anyone, I would just say that everyone should work hard as only hard work is the key to success.”
Meanwhile Gopichand stated that there is still a lot left to tap as far as Sindhu’s potential is concerned. “I think she is still far away from complete transformation. I believe we have just seen glimpses of what she is capable of. She has got potential and I was waiting for her to realise that. It might take time,” Gopichand told reporters.
“We need to be patient. We need to understand that results may not come as consistently as we want them. But it is important she understand and tries. She is still 21 and she has probably another 10 years and once she realises what I see in my eyes, she will be head and shoulder above the rest of the world,” he added.
Gopichand also informed that with a young contingent at his academy, players who are hugely motivated, he will embark on the road to a gold-winning run. “It is tough, not impossible though,” the master tactician signed off.
Meanwhile, both the shuttler and his coach were overwhelmed at the victory rally organised from the city airport to the Gachibowli Stadium here. “I never thought that I would get so much love and adoration,” Sindhu gushed.