Marcelo del Pozo / Reuters
PV Sindhu at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
If you caught the women's singles final of the World Badminton Championships between Japan's Nozomi Okuhara and our very own PV Sindhu, chances are, you're still reeling from the adrenaline rush from the jitters-inducing close finish in Scotland last night.
Even as Indians are undoubtedly heartbroken over yet another world top spot slipping away from its talented sportswomen in the last crucial moments of a final -- a mere six Sundays ago, on July 23, the Indian women's cricket team lost the world cup to England by just nine runs -- no one can deny the spell-binding nature of the match between the two equally determined 22-year-old shuttlers. Iron will, breathtaking stamina and competitive spirit at its fiercest best were on display throughout the 110-minute slugfest, the second longest women's single badminton match and the longest match of the tournament.
In the end, even though Sindhu lost, the fact that she went down fighting tooth and nail was not lost on anyone. Saina Nehwal, who bagged the bronze and watched the final from the railing, later walked over to coach Gopichand and joked, "Mera petrol khatam ho gaya dekhte, dekhte (I ran out of fuel, just watching this game)! Wonderful match."
She wasn't the only one overwhelmed by watching the goings-on on the court. Emotions ran high as Indians rejoiced over the bittersweet victory of seeing two of its best players on the winners' podium, even as the top honour continued to elude them, and, predictably, many turned to Twitter as an outlet for their feelings and to congratulate Sindhu on her remarkable performance. From the Prime Minister to the public, and Bollywood stars, media persons, politicians, comics, and, of course, fellow sportspersons, no one was left unmoved.
Amitabh Bachchan
T 2529 - #Sindhu , #Pvsindhu1 .. you made India proud .. you are a Champion .. spirit, guts, endurance .. for me you won .. never gave up pic.twitter.com/gSKIWJ70vO
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 27, 2017
Ranveer Singh
She's a champ yo !!! 🇮🇳✊🏽 @Pvsindhu1
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) August 27, 2017
Anil Kapoor
Just as @ImRo45 marks his 12th ODI century, @Pvsindhu1 wins a silver at the #WorldBadmintonChampionships!! Good day for Indian sports!
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) August 27, 2017
Dia Mirza
That was so so well played @Pvsindhu1!!! What a match! Such a joy watching you Champ 🐯 We love you. #2017BWC
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) August 27, 2017
PM Narendra Modi
Well played @Pvsindhu1! We are proud of your game at the @2017BWC finals. Congratulations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2017
Maneka Gandhi (Union Minister for Women and Child Development)
Our girls have done us proud yet again. Spectacular performance by @Pvsindhu1 and @NSaina. You're an inspiration to all. #sindhu #saina
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) August 27, 2017
Devendra Fadnis (Chief Minister of Maharashtra)
Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 for bagging silver medal at the @2017BWC !
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 27, 2017
Great achievement!
Our nation is proud of you! #Sindhu
Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh)
Great game @Pvsindhu1, congratulations for the Silver at the #WorldBadmintonChampionships. The nation is proud of it's champion daughter.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 27, 2017
Atul Khatri
I now know what PV in PV Sindhu means - Param Vir
— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) August 27, 2017
Well played! Whatta game!
Ramesh Srivats
This week has seen some excellent performance in courts.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) August 27, 2017
First Supreme Court.
Then High Court.
Now Badminton Court.
Virender Sehwag
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu - Remember the name.A role-model for a generation, aged 22.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 27, 2017
India is proud of u @Pvsindhu1
Most breathtaking finals
Mohammad Kaif
You are an inspiration @Pvsindhu1 .What an epic display of badminton skills that was. Privileged to watch.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 27, 2017
Thank you #Sindhu
Nidhi Razdan
Sindhu you're a real champion! Well done ! You've been superb @Pvsindhu1
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) August 27, 2017
Rajdeep Sardesai
Nobody even bothered about the cricket scores today. @Pvsindhu1 you are a star! And may you keep shining! #Sindhu
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 27, 2017
Hope we'll be cheering a gold very, very soon. Congratulations, PV Sindhu, you make India proud!
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