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PV Sindhu's 2018 'ends well' with historic gold

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Dec 31, 2018, 04:37 PM IST
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File photo of PV Sindhu. Photograph:(PTI)

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Sindhu scripted history when she became the first Indian to clinch the BWF World Tour Finals. 

In 2018, India's PV Sindhu scripted history when she became the first Indian to clinch the BWF World Tour Finals, but the year also had some downfalls for the badminton star.

Despite her hard work and dedication, the gold medal drought persisted until she finally laid her hands on the yellow metal by defeating 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara in Guangzhou, China.

This was her career's 14th title but year's first. Prior to this in 2018, she won silver at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Thailand Open and India Open. 

At the All England Open Championships also, Sindhu made it to the top four, before losing to Akane Yamaguchi in the semi-final with the score 21-19, 19-21, 18-21. This was her best performance in this tournament. 

Besides winning silver in the singles event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Sindhu grabbed a gold in the mixed team event.  She also won her second consecutive silver medal and her total fourth at the 2018 World Championships.

The Olympic silver medallist made the nation proud after winning a silver in Asian Games and went on to become became the first Indian to finish second on the podium.

Former shuttler and incumbent chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand played a huge part in shaping up Sindhu's dynamic career. He has set his eyes on ending the 18-year-old wait for an Indian to become an All England Champion next year.

As quoted by PTI, "For us, the 2020 would be a big one, and then 2022, so basically the Commonwealth, Asian Games and the Olympics are the big event but having said that the All England will be the target next year."

"It has been quite a while since we have won the All England Championship. It will be almost 20 years since Prakash sir won and then I won the Championship so I hope this time it doesn't take so long," he concluded.

Gopichand was the last Indian to win All England Championship in 2001. He achieved the coveted feat after 21 years of Prakash Padukone's 1980 title.

Now, the nation expects such a historic performance from Sindhu as well.