Sporting fraternity hails Sindhu's historic World Championships gold

The country's sporting fraternity, led by cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday, hailed P V Sindhu's historic triumph at the Badminton World Championships, saying her feat has made India proud.

Olympic silver medallist Sindhu beat Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in a one-sided summit clash in Basel, Switzerland, to clinch her and India's maiden gold in the World Championships.

"Amazing performance! Congratulations on becoming the 1st ever to win the BWF World Championships! You have made India proud, yet again," tweeted Tendulkar.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said the country was proud of Sindhu for her unprecedented achievement.

"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," Rijiju tweeted.

Sindhu's fellow competitor and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal also tweeted: "Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 for the first ever world championships gold medal from India."

Sindhu also received congratulatory messages from reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin and India's Olympic star Abhinav Bindra.

"Proud of you girl! You're gold! @Pvsindhu1," Carolina Marin tweeted.

"Winning a World championship Gold medal is a fantastic achievement and a great day for Indian Sport. I am sure this will give @Pvsindhu1 intrinsic belief that she can go all the way at Tokyo. Wish her and her entire team the very best!" tweeted Bindra.

"Congratulations for the medal @Pvsindhu1!Truemasterclass! Well done! #BWFWorldChampionships2019," Srikanth tweeted.

Shuttler Satwik Sairaj Renkireddy took to Twitter and wrote, "For the First Time in World championships history India's National Anthem played at the podium. Thankyou @Pvsindhu1 akka #worldchampion #pvsindhu #India."

"What a game! Truly spectacular! An Indian is a World Champion! @Pvsindhu1," Chirag Shetty tweeted.

"Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 on winning the World Badminton Championship. Fantastic!" Pankaj Advani tweeted.

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir also sent his wishes on Twitter, "Purpose fuels passion. Congratulations to the newly crowned World Champion #PVSindhu for winning the gold medal at #BWFWorldChampionships2019. Time and again, you've made us Indians proud!"

"Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 what an incredible performance! #BWFWorldChampionships2019," Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar tweeted.

Fellow Hyderabadi and tennis great Sania Mirza too lauded Sindhu's achievement.

"What a champion you are girl @Pvsindhu1 congratulations.. enjoy the moment," she said.

Badminton Association of India president Hemanta Biswa Sarma added: "Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 on winning the #BadmintonWorldChampionships by beating Nazomi Okuhara of Japan in a stunning game. This is a historic moment for all of us. I am thrilled with joy. India is proud," said Sarma.

Other cricketing greats also congratulated Sindhu.

"Congrats@Pvsindhu1 on winning 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," wrote former India batsman and fellow Hyderabadi VVS Laxman.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote: "Congratulations PV Sindhu 1st indian to win Gold @Pvsindhu1 keep inspiring."

Earlier, the 24-year-old had four medals at the World Championships as she bagged bronze in the 2013 and 2014 while in 2017 and 2018 she claimed silver medals.

Sindhu won the silver medal at the Rio Olympics 2016.