Basel (Switzerland), Aug 25: P V Sindhu on Sunday became the first Indian to win badminton World Championships gold by beating familiar rival Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in a lop-sided final here on Sunday.
The Indian won 21-7 21-7 in the summit clash that lasted just 38 minutes.
#BREAKING | #PVSindhu becomes first Indian shuttler to clinch Badminton World Championships gold, beats Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the final. pic.twitter.com/FaslCXsAiE
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) August 25, 2019
Two years after being robbed off the gold by Okuhara in an epic 110-minute final at Glasgow that went down as one of the greatest battles in badminton history, Sindhu finally exorcised the ghost of that heart-wrenching loss with a completely dominating win over the same opponent.
It was Sindhu’s fifth World Championships medal — joint most for a woman singles player with former Olympics and world champion Zhang Ning of China — to go with the two successive silvers and a couple of bronze medals
Sindhu has also won an Olympic silver in 2016 Rio Games, a silver at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, an Asian Games silver at Jakarta and the BWF World Tour Finals last year.
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Sports minister Kiren Rijiju and Badminton Association of India (BAI) president and Assam Finance, Health and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the ace shuttler after her historic victory.
Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 for winning the BWF World Championship. This is a proud moment for the entire country.
Your magic on the court, hardwork and perseverance enthralls and inspires millions. Best wishes World Champion for all your future battles #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 25, 2019
The stupendously talented @Pvsindhu1 makes India proud again!
Congratulations to her for winning the Gold at the BWF World Championships. The passion and dedication with which she’s pursued badminton is inspiring.
PV Sindhu’s success will inspire generations of players.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2019
PV Sindhu creates history by becoming the first-ever Indian to claim gold in BWF World Badminton Championships! India is proud of @Pvsindhu1🇮🇳 My hearty congratulations! Govt will continue to provide best support & facilities to produce champions. #BWFWorldChampionships2019 pic.twitter.com/LxWzQirTXh
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 25, 2019
Incredible!
Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 on winning the #BadmintonWorldChampionships by beating Nazomi Okuhara of Japan in a stunning game.
This is a historic moment for all of us. I am thrilled with joy. India is proud.#PVSindhu pic.twitter.com/g9CpCgO58I
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 25, 2019
Sindhu’s family members in Hyderabad celebrated her badminton world championship gold.
Hyderabad: Family of PV Sindhu celebrates after she became the first Indian to win BWF World Championships gold medal in Basel, Switzerland. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/TgqAY9e3ea
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2019
(With inputs from PTI)
