A day after creating history at Tokyo, PV Sindhu said that she is enjoying the moment and is determined to go to Paris in 2024.
Excerpts of an interview with the champion...
How do you describe your journey in the last five years. Right from Rio a lot of things happened and there were some controversies as well?
There were lot of ups and downs in the last five years. A lot has changed in my game. I lost a few and won a few. I won the worlds. Altogether, I have learnt a lot more. I think game-wise I have improved...I utilised the time I got in a very good way. I got to learn new skills and new technique. Park was always with me. Playing in Gachibowli is always an advantage. That is best decision we have taken and we got players from the Suchitra Academy. BAI, SAI and the state government gave whatever we want.
When are going to have the ice-cream with the Prime Minister. Which flavour you want to eat?
(Laughs). I haven't decided about that so far.
In the second set against Tai Tzu Ying you lost way. What happened there?
Firstly, it is not easy. In the semifinals I had done well in the first game. Had I won the first game it could have been different. In the second game I have made some mistakes. It was not just my game. It was Tai Tzu's day. Yesterday (final day) was not her day but day before yesterday was hers. But I am happy as I have got that medal and had again proved myself.
1/7:Sindhu first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals
<p>PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals, securing a bronze after a straight-game win over world no. 9 He Bing Jiao of China in the badminton women's singles event at Tokyo Olympics. (PTI Photo)</p>
2/7:Sindhu is the reigning World champion
<p>Sindhu is also the reigning world champion after winning the 2019 World Championships title, as the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She also has four more medals from the prestigious World Championships - two silver and two bronze (silver in 2017 & 2018, bronze in 2013 & 2014). (AFP Photo)</p>
3/7:Silver-lining for Sindhu at 2018 Asian Games
<p>Sindhu, who is one of the most accomplished athletes from India, having won medals at almost all the major badminton tournaments, won an individual silver at the 2018 Asian Games four years after winning a Team Bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. (AFP Photo)</p>
4/7:Sindhu clinched 2018 BWF World Tour Finals title
<p>Sindhu, who had achieved a career high world ranking of 2 in April 2007, also clinched the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals title in the year 2018. (BWF Photo)</p>
5/7:Sindhu won silver in 2018 Commonwealth Games
<p>Sindhu, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, began playing badminton at the age of 8, had a great 2018 as she also got a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games after losing to compatriot Saina Nehwal in the final. (PTI Photo)</p>
6/7:Sindhu won 2017 World Championship silver
<p>Sindhu, who is also only the second woman after former Chinese player Zhang Ning to win five or more medals at the World Championships, had to settle for silver at the 2017 World Championship. (AFP Photo)</p>
7/7:Sindhu won an unprecedented silver in 2016 Rio Olympics
<p>Sindhu, who won an unprecedented silver at the 2016 Rio Games in what was her maiden Olympics appearance, scripted history as she became the first female athlete from India to win an Olympic silver medal. In the 2016 Olympic final, Sindhu lost to Spain's Carolina Marin. (AFP Photo)</p>Over the years, Gopi and Saina have inspired you in different ways. After you got the medal have they congratulated you, did you hear from them?
Gopi sir messaged me congratulations. Saina no. We don't talk much.
You have been training with Park for about one-and-half years. What was Gopi's involvement in the last few months?
From February only me and Park are only training. There is no involvement of Gopi sir. He has been training other youngsters. Park was exclusively working with me. We have brought sparring partners from Suchitra Academy
But being a chief coach, he trained you for long. Didn't he involve in any of you training?
He did not involve much.
From 2017 till now you have worked with three different coaches. Isn't it difficult to adjust to their training methods?
My journey with last three coaches has been good. I have learnt a lot from each coach. It's always good to learn and have that skill in you and use that when needed. Mulyo (Hondoyo) was comparatively different, Kim (Ji Hyun) was different and Park has a different mindset. I have learnt a lot from different coaches. It shouldn't take a lot of time to adjust with the coaches.
What did your coach tell you after you lost the semifinal?
Park talked to me and said there is one more match to go, it is not over yet. He told me that there is a lot of difference between a bronze medal and a fourth place. He said I should not be sad. The next when I woke up I was determined to win.
You always go and hug your opponent and talk to them after the match. Is there any reason why you do that?
During matches they are just your opponents and you fight against them. But once it's over we are all friends. It just takes a couple of minutes or seconds to say hard luck and communicate with them. That kind of relationship is very very important. If you see someone lose, you know how much it hurts. So when Tai Tzu lost the final yesterday, I went and talked to her. I told her it's ok to lose. Just enjoy the moment you have won an Olympic silver.
You won silver at Rio, bronze at Tokyo. Will it be gold at Paris?
There is still time to plan for Paris. I just want to cherish this moment and enjoy it right now. I will definitely play in Paris and give my best there.
