New Delhi, India, August 2, 2021: Widespread jubilation has greeted the badminton bronze medal of PV Sindhu in Tokyo on Sunday night as she became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals.
Reigning world champion Sindhu secured bronze by defeating China’s He Bingjiao in the third place play-off to spark a frenzy of congratulatory messages on social media. Sindhu had won the silver medal in Rio 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the charge posting on his Facebook page: “We are all elated by the stellar performance by @Pvsindhu1. Congratulations to her on winning the Bronze at @Tokyo2020. She is India’s pride and one of the most outstanding Olympians.”
Former Indian Sports Minister and now the Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju, posted: “Very proud of you PV Sindhu on winning Bronze, your 2nd Olympic medal and making India proud.”
Anurag Thakur, who took over as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports from Rijiju, said: “Smashing victory PV Sindhu!!! You dominated the game and made history. An Olympic medallist twice over! India is so proud of you & awaits your return.”
India’s only individual gold medallist Abhinav Bindra – he won gold in the 10 metre air rifle at Beijing 2008 – wrote a lengthy congratulatory missive to Sindhu.
“Very few athletes from our nation have been fortunate enough to achieve what you have achieved. In fact, most sporting careers all over the world end without an Olympic medal, even after years and years spent obsessing over winning the shiny little round object. This alone shows how rare it is to accomplish such a feat, and just how insane one has to be to even dream of it. You are already a Double Olympic Medallist,” Bindra wrote.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, posted: “PV Sindhu becomes the first Indian woman to win medals in two Olympic Games. She has set a new yardstick of consistency, dedication and excellence. My heartiest congratulations to her for bringing glory to India.”
The feel-good factor in India was soaring high on Sunday for, along with Sindhu’s bronze medal and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal earlier in the Games, boxer Lovlina Borgohain was assured of a bronze medal.
There was even more joy as both the men’s and women’s hockey teams moved towards medal contention.
Sports Minister Thakur once again took to Facebook, posting: “India dribbles and dashes its way into the semi-finals. Brilliant performance by the Men's hockey team.”
The Indian men’s hockey team defeated Great Britain 3-1 in the quarterfinals to set up a clash with Belgium in the last four. It was the first time since 1980 Moscow – when India won gold – that the men’s hockey team has reached the semi-finals at the Olympics.
The Rani Rampal-led women’s hockey team reached the quarterfinals where they will be up against the powerful Australians.
After a slow start, India has come out and excelled at the Tokyo Olympics.
PV Sindhu had the last word. She said: “I would say this medal was tougher than the one I won in Rio. But if I can do it, anyone can,”
