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Anilava Chatterjee, Tokyo: Star Indian badminton player PV Sindhu on Sunday said winning bronze at Tokyo Olympics was a lot tougher than winning silver at Rio Olympics. Sindhu defeated China's He Bingjiao 21- 13, 21-15 to win a bronze at Tokyo Olympics. In doing so she also became the first Indian women player to win two medals (1 silver & 1 bronze) at the Olympics.

“Yes, there was no pressure in Rio. But there was a lot of expectation and pressure at Tokyo 2020. Everybody wanted that medal to be back in the country. So definitely it was a lot tougher here. But I cannot compare both of them. It’s a proud moment,” said Sindhu to the reporters in Tokyo moments after the match.  

No 6 seed Sindhu took 50 minutes to finish the match against Bingjiao. In her words she was completely blank after the hitting the winning point.

“I think it was lot of emotions because as I mentioned earlier I had to be sad for losing an opportunity. At the same time I had to be happy I got another opportunity to prove myself. Even though I was leading 20-15 I thought that it was over because you never know anything can happen. I was just blank after the winning point. I just had tears and then after a few seconds I actually shouted. I went and hugged the coach. Mr Park really worked hard and he wanted to see me on the podium. My parents too wanted to see me on the podium and finally I have done that. And I am super happy,” said Sindhu.  

Sindhu has now won two Olympic medals for the country. On being asked when will she start planning for the hattrick at Paris, the 26 year old said, “Ha ha (laughs) I am still in the moment. Let me be in the moment for a while. Definitely I will start but not right now. For me it’s a moment to enjoy and relax because these many years, almost five years I have been aiming for this. Finally getting a medal for the country is a proud moment.”

Talking about the match with Bingjiao, Sindhu said, “There was no particular strategy. She is a tricky player and is quite deceptive as well. She was a left hander so it was very important for me to be in the rally. She was taking all my attacking strokes. It was very important for me to be patient and be in the match. It was important maintaining the lead in the first game and even though she was covering it, each and every point was important. Second game it was neck to neck but I took a lead and finished it off.”

On being asked who will she dedicate this medal, Sindhu said, “This one is dedicated to a lot of people, the fans, the crowd, and today’s friendship day, so I would like to wish all my friends. I would like to dedicate this medal to my coach and to my parents and family members. Everyone has put in a lot of effort, since 2016 to 2021; it’s been a long journey. There have been ups and downs. So I would like to dedicate this to my dad, my mom and family members, to my sister and off course my nephew. He was always cheering for me.”

Sindhu particularly thanked her coach Mr Park for the success at Tokyo.

“I didn’t know how to react. I was actually waiting for five six seconds. I am very thankful to Mr Park because in this pandemic he has been with me whole time. He couldn’t go home because of lock downs and stuff. He did miss his family but every single day he motivated me saying you can do it. Finally we have together proved it we have done well,” said Sindhu.   

Reacting to the difficulties she had to face towards achieving this medal, Sindhu said, “During the pandemic we couldn’t train. I was training at my home. My dad used to make me do all the exercises and my trainer gave me all the schedules. Once the lockdown was lifted we started training. The Government has also supported us. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) supported us in whichever way we wanted to because whatever we asked them we got. Finally I dedicate this win to all of them

On being asked how difficult was it to keep herself in the top bracket of International badminton, Sindhu said, “Definitely it is hard. When you come to a certain level and to maintain it is tough. Everyone is looking at you. The top 10 athlete are of the same standard. You cannot relax a bit but have to keep working hard.”

Lastly, the 26 year old has still not sunk on winning the medal at Tokyo Olympics.

“I don’t know how I will celebrate this win. It’s not sunk in yet so I would like to enjoy the moment as much as I can. I have been waiting for this moment and it has finally come true. Getting a medal for the country is a proud moment. I haven’t spoken to my parents. I spoke to my cousins over there. I miss them . I want to go back and enjoy with them,” signed off the champion shuttler from Hyderabad.