PV Sindhu

Indian badminton player, two-time Olympic medalist and 2019 World Champion, first Indian woman to win BWF World Championships gold medal

Born on July 5, 1995, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu emerged from a sporting family background. Her father, P.V. Ramana, was a former volleyball player who represented India at international level, while her mother, P. Vijaya, was also involved in volleyball. Sindhu began playing badminton at age eight under the guidance of Mehboob Ali before training with renowned coach Pullela Gopichand at his academy in Hyderabad. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she won bronze at the World Junior Championships. Sindhu's rise accelerated through the mid-2010s as she consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments. She claimed silver medals at the 2016 and 2017 World Championships, establishing herself as a consistent threat at the highest level. Her aggressive playing style, combining exceptional reach with powerful smashes, made her particularly effective against top-ranked opponents. Sindhu's defining moment arrived at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she defeated several seeded players to reach the final, ultimately claiming silver and becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton. She followed this with bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making her the first Indian woman to win two individual Olympic medals. Her crowning achievement came at the 2019 World Championships in Basel, where she defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara to become the first Indian to win the women's singles world title. She also captured the BWF World Tour Finals in 2018. Standing 1.79 meters tall, Sindhu's physical attributes complemented her tactical acumen and mental resilience in crucial matches. Her success significantly elevated badminton's profile in India, inspiring a new generation of players and securing substantial commercial endorsements. As one of India's most recognizable sporting figures, she has transcended her sport to become a national icon, demonstrating that Indian athletes can compete consistently at the pinnacle of non-cricket sports on the global stage.

Aggressive attacking style with powerful smashes and strong court coverage

Pioneering Indian badminton player who broke barriers and inspired a generation

• Olympic Silver 2016
• Olympic Bronze 2020
• World Champion 2019
• BWF Super Series Finals winner