Singing paeans to Sindhu

Sindhu’s friends and fellow trainees at the Gopichand Academy are not surprised that she won the women’s singles silver medal in Rio.

The bronze medal-winning Indian women’s badminton team during the medals ceremony at the Asian Games in Incheon. Sikki Reddy, in the centre, is having a word with P. V. Sindhu. Sikki, who had played doubles with Sindhu in her formative years, is of the view that the Rio Olympics silver medallist has always been a different kind of player.

For those who have been closely following P. V. Sindhu’s career, her silver medal at Rio 2016 did not come as a big surprise.

Sikki Reddy, who lost to Saina Nehwal in the women’s singles final of the 2009 Commonwealth Youth Games and who had played doubles with Sindhu in her formative years, is of the view that Sindhu has always been a different kind of player, even as a teenager.

“We could see the grit and determination in her even when training. She had the urge to keep improving, which was something special,” recalls Sikki.

“She has always been a wonderful friend. Even now, after winning the silver, Sindhu remains the ever-affable character,” says Sikki, who is now focussing more on the doubles following a knee injury. “We played a lot together. The best thing about Sindhu is her focus. This is what helped her in Rio. No doubt, great planning and real hard work in the months leading up to the Rio Olympics made her look a completely different player. She was equally good in smashes and drops,” says Sikki.

Siyaduttallah, one of the key members of the support staff at the Gopichand Academy, says they were all aware of Sindhu’s immense talent and patience.

“For me, the best characteristic of Sindhu is that she is a willing listener and has a clear urge to keep improving. Many junior players are also given similar advice with regard to their game and other aspects, but not many of them put their best foot forward. This is what separates Sindhu from the rest,” he says.

“We were also confident of Sindhu winning laurels at the highest level, given her talent, amazing attitude and positive energy,” Siyaduttallah pointed out.

Doubles specialist Tarun Kona, who too grew up in the circuit with Sindhu, says: “It was a fantastic display, and it is the result of focussed and personalised training. Obviously, when someone like Gopi Sir is the coach, the trainees are bound to benefit immensely. She is lucky that way to find someone like him.”

“I have seen her going through all those physical conditioning drills — doing sprints, long-distance running — to maintain high levels of fitness,” adds Tarun.

“Sindhu’s story is a huge inspiration for many of us. When she can do it, why not we, is how we feel now though it isn’t easy for anyone to match her effort, commitment and single-minded devotion to training,” explains Tarun.

Sripada Sunitha, a close friend of Sindhu, too says that the 21-year-old star’s silver medal in Rio didn’t surprise her. “Leave apart the game; I am glad that on her return she remained the same humble human being. We used to text each other a lot earlier and this didn’t change a bit. Such a wonderful champion,” she concluded.