Upsetting to lose the chance to bag first gold for India: Sindhu

The Rio Olympic silver-medalist gave it her all to become the first Indian woman to clinch the gold medal at the World Championship, but she had to eventually settle for the silver after a breathtaking final of the women’s singles event. 

In a close summit showdown that lasted for one hour and 50 minutes, the longest match of the tournament so far, Sindhu lost the title 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 to Nozomi Okuhara of Japan on Sunday. 

“It was anybody’s game. Of course, it’s upsetting to lose. From the first game, each point was very important for both of us and even when I was leading or she was leading, it was never over from both sides. There were long rallies and she wasn’t leaving any shuttle, so each point was very tough. In the third game, it was 20-20 and it was anyone’s game I feel,” Sindhu said of the match. 

The Hyderabadi shuttler said that although she was happy with the silver, she too had aimed for the gold like everyone else. “I have no words and it is really upsetting because anybody would aim for the gold and the last moment changed everything. Happy with silver, but that feeling of regret is there,” Sindhu said. 

Sindhu, however, lauded her opponent’s fighting spirit and insisted that it would only make her a better player. The 22-year-old admitted that it has always been difficult to play against Okuhara as there have been long and tough rallies when they face each other. 

“She was never easy and each time we play against each other, there are tough and long rallies. I didn’t take her to be easy and I was prepared that the match would be long but unfortunately, I lost. It was not my day. Both of us were going for each point and we were both tired after such long rallies. Overall it was a good match, that’s all I can say but it just wasn’t my day,” Sindhu said, while elaborating on the clash. 

When quizzed about how she feels to see two Indian women finishing on the podium, Sindhu said, “We as Indians are really proud, because we’ve brought two medals for the country in the women’s singles. Of course, Saina did really well too. I settled for silver, am really proud.” 

Though Sindhu had defeated the Japanese in 2016 Rio Olympics, the latter equaled the score this time. Taking full advantage of her height and jump smashes, the fourth-seeded dominated the first game and maintained the lead till the first 14 points.