Guts & Glory: Sindhu wins historic Olympic bronze

TOKYO/New Delhi: Reigning world champion PV Sindhu on Sunday became only the second Indian and the country's first 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 third-place play-off.

Sindhu, who has returned with medals from each of the big-ticket events such as the Commonwealth and Asian Games and the BWF World Tour Finals in the last five years, outwitted Bing Jiao 21-13, 21-15 to add a bronze to the silver that she had secured at the 2016 Rio Games.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar is the first and only other Indian to win two individual Olympic medals, following up his bronze at 2008 Beijing with a silver at the 2012 London edition.

Up against an opponent, who had beaten her nine times so far in the last 15 meetings, Sindhu showed great determination to outplay Bing Jiao with her aggression to scoop India's third medal at Tokyo.

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has already gone back after collecting a silver, while boxer Lovlina Borgohain is assured of at least a bronze so far. Sindhu showed great fortitude as she recovered from her painful semi-final loss to world no.1 Tai Tzu Ying and produced an aggressive show at the Musashino Forest Plaza on Sunday.

The country erupted in joy with the sports fraternity hailing her feat and President Ram Nath Kovind lauding her for setting "a new yardstick of consistency, dedication and excellence".

"P V 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," Kovind tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Sindhu as "one of our most outstanding Olympians".

"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 our most outstanding Olympians," Modi said in a tweet.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Sindhu.

The CM tweeted 'Extremely proud of @Pvsindhu1 for winning the bronze medal at #Olympics2020..' 'Your passion, hardwork and dedication will serve as an inspiration for all. My heartiest congratulations to you!,' she said.

with agency inputs