PV Sindhu Becomes First Indian To Win BWF World Championships Title, Beats Nozomi Okuhara to Win Gold Medal at 2019 Badminton Tournament
PV Sindhu, who finished runner-up in the previous two editions of BWF World Championships, needed just 36 minutes to overpower Nozomi Okuhara in what was seemingly a lop-sided clash in the women's singles final. The summit clash, a rematch of the 2017 World Championship final, was in complete contrast to the one both players played two years ago
PV Sindhu scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the BWF World Championships. Sindhu, 24, outclassed Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-7, 21-7, to claim the elusive yellow metal. The victory made Sindhu not only the first Indian shuttler to top the podium at the World Championships but also placed her among few select shuttlers to take back at least one medal of each colour from the tournament. PV Sindhu Storms into Third Successive BWF World Championship Final After Beating Chen Yu Fei in Straight Sets.
Sindhu, who finished runner-up in the previous two editions and has also two bronze medals from the World Championships, needed just 36 minutes to overpower her Japanese opponent in what was seemingly a lop-sided clash in the women's singles final. The summit clash, a rematch of the 2017 World Championship final, was in complete contrast to the one both players played two years ago. While the 2017 final lasted a record 117 minutes, Sunday's final went on for merely 37 minutes with Sindhu completely destroying Okuhara.
She won the opening set in 16 minutes with sheer domination and power. Okuhara, who had defeated Sindhu at the same stage in 2017, looked lost and hopeless in front of the mighty Indian. The Japanese was all over the place or rather Sindhu sent her all around. Okuhara won the second point of the opening set but earned her next with Sindhu 13 points ahead. From taking an unaccessible 11-2 lead at the break, Sindhu won the game 21-7.
The second set was similar with Sindhu still dominating and although Okuhara tried to control the tempo of the game, Sindhu was beyond her reach. Using her height and power to the full, Sindhu made the Japanese play all around the court not letting her settle. She won the second game by the same margin as the first racing her way to the maiden gold medal at the BWF World Championships.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2019 06:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).