P. V. Sindhu

P. V. Sindhu – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the inspiring journey of P. V. Sindhu (born July 5, 1995) — India’s badminton superstar. From early life and training to her biggest achievements and memorable quotes, explore how she became a global sporting icon.

Introduction

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, more commonly known as P. V. Sindhu, is one of India’s most celebrated athletes — a badminton star whose achievements have elevated her to national icon status. Born on July 5, 1995, in Hyderabad, Telangana, she has shattered barriers, won medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and inspired a generation of athletes in India and beyond.

This article traces her life from early upbringing and training, through her rise in international badminton, examines her playing style and impact, and highlights her most memorable quotes.

Early Life and Family

Birth & Family Background
Sindhu was born in Hyderabad (then in Andhra Pradesh) into a family with a strong sporting line. P. V. Ramana, and mother, P. Vijaya, were national-level volleyball players.

Ramana was part of the Indian volleyball squad that secured a bronze medal in the 1986 Asian Games, and he later received the Arjuna Award for his sporting contributions.

Though both parents were in volleyball, Sindhu gravitated toward badminton, influenced by Indian badminton luminaries like Pullela Gopichand.

Education & Early Training
Sindhu attended Auxilium High School, Hyderabad, and later did her schooling and college studies while balancing her sports commitments.

She first started playing badminton at around age eight, training under coach Mehboob Ali at courts of the Indian Railway Institute in Secunderabad. Gopichand Badminton Academy, which played a pivotal role in her development.

As a young player, she often traveled long distances to training camps. Some reports say she traveled ~56 km each way daily from home to the academy.

Her coaches and mentors have frequently praised her determination, discipline, and never-say-die attitude as key to her early progression.

Rise in Badminton: Career & Achievements

Early International Years

Sindhu entered the international circuit as a teenager. In 2009, she won a bronze medal at the Sub-Junior Asian Badminton Championships.

In 2011, she won titles like the Maldives International and the Indonesia International Challenge and competed in youth-level global tournaments.

By 2012, as a 16-year-old, she clinched the Asian Junior Championship, becoming the first Indian to do so, and also stunned top players in senior events.

Breakthrough & Olympic Success

Sindhu’s big break came when she represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she became the first Indian female shuttler to reach an Olympic final, ultimately winning the silver medal.

She followed this up by winning her first Superseries title at the 2016 China Open and further successes in 2017, including wins at the India Open.

World Champion & Later Years

In 2019, Sindhu made history by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win the World Championships (gold) in women’s singles.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), she won a bronze medal, becoming the first Indian woman to win two consecutive Olympic medals.

Over her career, she has collected multiple medals at the BWF World Championships, World Tour/Superseries tournaments, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and more.

As of recent data, her highest world ranking was No. 2, achieved April 1, 2017.

Awards & Honors

Sindhu’s excellence has been recognized with India’s top sports and civilian honors:

• Arjuna Award (2013)

• Padma Shri (2015)

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (India’s highest sporting award, 2016)

• Padma Bhushan (2020)

She has also been appointed as a Deputy Collector (Group-I) in Andhra Pradesh and holds a sports managerial role at Bharat Petroleum.

Sindhu has also become one of India’s highest-paid female athletes, with substantial earnings from endorsements, prize money, and sponsorships.

Style, Personality & Influence

Playing Style & Strengths

Sindhu is known for a blend of power, reach, agility, and tactical versatility.

• Her height (1.79 m) gives her a reach advantage in rallies and defense.

• She combines aggressive attacking shots with stamina to stay in long rallies.

• She is capable of adapting her strategies mid-match — shifting between offense and defense to pressure opponents.

• Her mental toughness is a hallmark: she has often focused on giving her 100% regardless of outcome.

Many commentators and peers praise her resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.

Personality & Impact

Sindhu carries a calm but competitive demeanor. She often emphasizes hard work, humility, and continuous improvement in interviews.

Her journey is inspirational especially to young girls in India: she broke traditional constraints and represented a model of success through sports.

Off the court, she is active in social causes and uses her platform positively — though public details are less documented than her sporting life.

Her success has also elevated badminton’s profile in India, contributed to better infrastructure, sponsorships, and greater media attention for women’s sports in the country.

Famous Quotes of P. V. Sindhu

Here are several memorable quotes by Sindhu that reflect her mindset, values, and perspective:

“The Olympic medal gave me a lot of confidence, and I went and won my first Super Series in Hong Kong. … what Rio did was give me extra motivation and the confidence that now anything can happen.” “I have a lot of hunger to win the big titles.” “Many players are of the same standard; it all depends on how your strokes land on the other side of court.” “I put the good playing and game first, and money, prizes are secondary.” “Win or lose, I always focus only on giving my 100 percent.” “There will be many obstacles in the pursuit of your dreams. I had long hours of training, balancing studies and badminton.” “You win some and lose some. It’s all part of the game. You have to take it in a very positive way.” “I don’t fear anyone. I just concentrate on giving my best.” “When you lose in the quarterfinals or semifinals, you actually learn a lot from those mistakes.” “Your dreams have the power to make you fly high.”

These quotes capture her drive, focus, acceptance of setbacks, and her constant pursuit of growth.

Lessons from Sindhu’s Journey

1. Consistency & work ethic matter — She started young, maintained demanding training, and steadily improved.

2. Embrace failure as learning — She often emphasizes that losses teach vital lessons.

3. Stay focused on the process, not just outcomes — She prioritizes playing well over chasing titles or money.

4. Mental strength is crucial — Confidence, resilience, and composure often make the difference at elite levels.

5. Inspire beyond sport — Her example encourages breaking stereotypes, especially for girls in sports.

Conclusion

P. V. Sindhu stands among the elite in global badminton and remains a towering figure in India’s sporting history. Her journey—from a young girl traveling long distances for training to a World Champion and Olympic medallist—is a testament to dedication, resilience, and vision.

Her influence stretches beyond courts: she is an exemplar of how talent, guided by discipline and character, can transcend boundaries. For those seeking inspiration in sport or life, Sindhu’s story is rich with lessons on perseverance, humility, and the courage to keep believing.