PV Sindhu-Reflecting on Glory to Fuel Her Passion for Future Success

PV Sindhu of India seems to have troublesome times often recalled by the urge to remember the glorious past. For a player like Sindhu who had recently experienced trouble seasons in terms of campaign and a medal-less campaign at the Paris Olympics, the hunger for success still remains the same. From young athlete to the badminton icon on international arena is the test to Sindhu's perseverance and confidence in the game that does not have an eclipse.

Legacy of Excellence

Career is blowing like wildfire with success at 29, has it all- Olympics, World Championships, complete series of collections from Asian Games, along with that, the whole package of the medals collection from Commonwealth Games. In fact, she is just one of just three Indians, who have had two Olympic medals in their vault. According to Sindhu, however, there was never a day when an easy path ever reached her career that brought her to such dizzying heights. She gives equal importance to her fight along with her victories because of the fight she undertakes.

"When you see those wins, it reminds you of the happiness and confidence they bring. That feeling keeps the hunger alive," Sindhu shared in an interaction facilitated by sports brand PUMA, where she serves as an ambassador. Her past performances are often a reason to reignite her drive; she asks herself, "Why can't I do it again?" The Power of Resilience

Sindhu's career has been mostly a story of winning against odds. She recalls the serious injury in 2015. It challenged her patience and tested her belief in herself. However, she came back even stronger and went on to bag a silver medal at the Rio Olympics the very next year. Resilience is the basis of Sindhu's success.

For many, it has been one of the most important lessons from sport: be patient. At times, that means waiting for just the right moment in the match or sorting things out off the court. "Whatever it is, it's really important to trust the process," Sindhu explained. She admits after narrow losses, there are doubts. But she says that self-belief and support from close people helps her overcome those phases.

"I am blessed with parents who are former athletes. They understand the highs and lows of sports and have always encouraged me to stay strong and come back stronger," she said.

Learning from Defeats

Despite all the triumphs, Sindhu candidly accepts that losses hurt. "It hurts to lose, irrespective of what you have achieved. People might think there is nothing left for me to prove, but I feel there is still so much more I can achieve," she said. This perspective toward defeat reflects the growth that she has undergone as an athlete-each loss marks another step to further improvement.

According to Sindhu, the relation between an athlete and his or her coach is important, particularly during trying moments. "A coach needs to understand what is going through the mind of the athlete, even if the latter himself or herself cannot say it. Trust and communication are the keys," she underlined.

Learning to Overcome Changing Challenges

The badminton landscape has changed significantly since Sindhu first burst onto the scene. Players today are stronger defensively, necessitating continuous adaptation. Sindhu is well aware of the evolving demands of the game and works tirelessly to refine her skills. “Because I’m tall and have a good reach, opponents try not to give me attacking opportunities. I’m focusing on improving my defense and developing strategies to break through,” she shared.

The young Indian further elaborated on how her strategic decisions would be taken at the right points in a match to avoid sustaining injuries. "It's a very congested calendar; I have to pick and choose the key ones so that when I play them, I will be able to give my best," she added.

Sindhu on picking and choosing between tournaments: If you are not injured, then you can give your 100% on the court. That is why you have to pick and choose between tournaments.

Sindhu was glad about the emergence of badminton superstars from India. She felt that Unnati Hooda, Malvika Bansod, Shreyanshi Pardeshi, and Tanvi Sharma are the faces of the game for the years to come. "However, it should be brought about by one-to-one coaching and help from their parents. Each athlete differs in style and thought process. Parents must know that victory does not occur when one's child is compelled to read in the top academies. It's one's building blocks, she explained.

The Way Ahead

As Sindhu eyes the 2025 season ahead, she sees to maintaining balance between being fit and competing. With careful selective competitiveness, Sindhu wants to burn herself out but still manage to continue testing limits while on court. With an apparent love for the sport, backed up by incessant toil, Sindhu's commitment that there is plenty to do will stand in itself.

'What makes me go again is my passion for the game. As long as I can keep myself healthy and fit and keep competing to win, it's a high for me to continue,'' Sindhu said. Commitment on court as well reflects off-court Sindhu's deal with PUMA, another brand that does not compromise at all.

It has been a journey of resilience, adaptability, and an insatiable hunger for success with PV Sindhu. It is that ability to learn from the past but always keep looking ahead that will make her legacy stay as dynamic as she was while inspiring this new generation of athletes to come up through the ranks.