After two years where she came close, third time was the charm for PV Sindhu.
World Champion, PV Sindhu.
With a stunning display of power and aggression against the 2017 gold medallist Nozomi Okuhara, star shuttler Sindhu created history in Basel on Sunday by becoming the first World Champion from India.
Sindhu needed just 38 minutes to dismantle familiar rival Okuhara with a scoreline that is scarcely believable: 21-7, 21-7.
This was a rematch of the 2017 BWF World Badminton Championships final in Glasgow, but the final itself was anything but similar to that 110-minute epic. It was a thorough dismantling of a player who is actually seeded one place higher than Sindhu. The 24-year-old gave Okuhara no breathing space as she ramped up the pressure from the word go to clinch gold.
Sindhu now has a medal of every colour at the Worlds, after having won bronze in 2013, ‘14 and then silver medals in 2016, ‘17. No other Indian had won the gold at the prestigious tournament before and Sindhu created history in some style.
She has now won five medals in all at the tournament and is responsible for 50% of India’s podium-finishes: winning five out of the country’s 10 medals till date.
Twitter was set ablaze by that performance by Sindhu. Here is a selection of the tributes that came Sindhu’s way:
HISTORY SCRIPTED! ✍🇮🇳
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2019
Champion Stuff from @Pvsindhu1 as she becomes first Indian to be crowned World Champion. Kudos Girl, takes sweet revenge against @nozomi_o11 defeating her 21-7,21-7 in the finals of #BWFWC2019.
Nation rejoices!👏🔥#IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/UzmgTsNBji
Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 for the first ever world championships gold medal from India 👍
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 25, 2019
Congratulations for the 🥇, @Pvsindhu1! True masterclass! Well done! #BWFWorldChampionships2019 pic.twitter.com/OI5T74Gdgx
— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) August 25, 2019
Hope this medal changes the attitude towards sports in our country and the deserving sportspersons get all the support to achieve this kind of a feat!
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) August 25, 2019
Thank you @Pvsindhu1 for this! 🥇
You only proved that with the right kind of support we can conquer the world👏🏼
Proud of you girl! You're gold! 🥇 @Pvsindhu1 pic.twitter.com/NHQUT1yRDW
— Carolina Marín (@CarolinaMarin) August 25, 2019
The stupendously talented @Pvsindhu1 makes India proud again!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2019
Congratulations to her for winning the Gold at the BWF World Championships. The passion and dedication with which she’s pursued badminton is inspiring.
PV Sindhu’s success will inspire generations of players.
PV Sindhu creates history by becoming the first-ever Indian to claim gold in BWF World Badminton Championships! India is proud of @Pvsindhu1🇮🇳 My hearty congratulations! Govt will continue to provide best support & facilities to produce champions. #BWFWorldChampionships2019 pic.twitter.com/LxWzQirTXh
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 25, 2019
Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 on becoming the first Indian to win the BWF World Championships gold medal. You have made your nation proud. pic.twitter.com/2ceC4Qwxs2
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 25, 2019
Tears from @Pvsindhu1 as we listen to Jana Gana Mana in badminton's Major Events FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY#BWC2019 pic.twitter.com/NWCVpA0rR1
— Badminton Talk (@BadmintonTalk) August 25, 2019
P.V. Sindhu medal collection:
— HK Vittinghus (@hkvittinghus) August 25, 2019
World Champs: 🥇🥈🥈🥉🥉
Olympics: 🥈
Asian Games: 🥈
Commonwealth Games: 🥈🥉
Asian Championships: 🥉
She’s still only 24 years old! 😮
Congrats on a well deserved gold @Pvsindhu1 🔥👏🏻
There have been such rare historic moments which have defined Indian sports. Even less where an Indian sportsperson has been so dominant! incredibly proud of Sindhu...wait, WORLD CHAMPION PV SINDHU.
— Vaibhav Manocha (@BeingMinchu) August 25, 2019
Can’t stop the glee 😊🇮🇳💪🏼
That was nothing short of a masterclass from @Pvsindhu1. Congratulations, World Champion! 🥇#BWFWorldChampionships2019
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) August 25, 2019
In this form, @Pvsindhu1 can revive Indian economy. #BWFWorldChampionships2019
— T.N. Raghu (@tnrags) August 25, 2019
at the #BWFWorldChampionships2019 @Pvsindhu1 won her last 4 games 21-7, 21-14, 21-7, 21- 7. guess its her way of repaying fans for all the heart attacks she has caused over the years! well played, champion!!
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 25, 2019
TTY in QF, Chen Yufei in SF and Okuhara in final - 3 absolutely top wins against top 5 players. What an absolutely deserved Gold medal at the BWF World Championships for @Pvsindhu1
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 25, 2019
This has to be the most commanding performance by an Indian athlete, certainly in living memory. 21-7, 21-7. What a star @Pvsindhu1. Great moment for Indian sport. What a day. Proud.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 25, 2019
PV SINDHU what a player - what a champion - world champion - watched you in so many finals - to have the courage and the belief to come back each and every time and to continue working hard is the hallmark of a true legend congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 and to the great Gopichand
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) August 25, 2019
First Indian to win gold at the #BWFWorldChampionships2019... @Pvsindhu1 what a terrific performance! Congratulations.. you go girl ❤
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) August 25, 2019
Congrats @Pvsindhu1 on winning the Gold medal at #BWFWorldChampionships2019 Great exhibition of skill, fitness and mental strength to defeat Japan’s Okuhara in such an emphatic fashion. Proud of you.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 25, 2019
@Pvsindhu1 world champion ! She did not win .. she destroyed Okuhara !! Made India proud !! pic.twitter.com/4RlyhGaJEH
— Shankar Mahadevan (@Shankar_Live) August 25, 2019
Congratulationsssss @Pvsindhu1 !! You are such an inspiration to sooooo many in the country !! So proud of you girl !! ❤️🤗 #youmakeusproud #WorldChampionships2019
— Rakul Singh (@Rakulpreet) August 25, 2019
Finally!!!!!
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) August 25, 2019
Ladies and gentlemen , let’s welcome the new world champion @Pvsindhu1 !!!!!
It’s THE GOLD finally!!!!!!
🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🏸🏸🏸🏸👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#BWFWorldChampionships2019 pic.twitter.com/7d1ic0y79o