Not easy to win an Olympic medal – whatever colour it may be: PV Sindhu’s father
PV Ramana and P Vijaya, parents of shuttler PV Sindhu, have now pinned their hopes of the elusive gold medal in the 2020 Olympics to be hosted by Tokyo.
The gold was lost on Friday but a new hope born. The hope of the proud parents of a 21-year-old athlete who won the hearts of a billion Indians with a performance fitting for an Olympic final for the women’s singles badminton title.
PV Ramana and P Vijaya, parents of shuttler PV Sindhu, have now pinned their hopes of the elusive gold medal in the 2020 Olympics to be hosted by Tokyo.
For the time being, however, it was about a silver medal that is worth its weight in gold – put in perspective by the fact that Sindhu’s medal is only se cond so far for India in Rio after Sakshi Malik’s bronze in wrestling.
“It is a monumental achievement for Sindhu, she has always dreamt of winning an Olympic medal. She has worked hard for this and I am happy that she achieved it. It is not easy to win an Olympic medal – whatever colour it may be,” Ramana said at his daughter’s coach Pullela Gopichand academy at Gachibowli.
The parents watched both the semi final and the final at the academy along with family members and friends.
Their day with prayers at a temple in Hyderabad followed by a phone call to Brazil, where their daughter had just woken up to get ready for the clash with Spain’s Carolina Marin.
“Her mobile has been deposited with Gopi(chand). I don’t know whether it is the same for others too. When I called her on Gopi’s phone, she just replied in monosyllables. Sindhu does not speak much when with her coach,” Ramana told HT.
“I told her (the) gold is the limit for us in the event in which you are participating, so you should try your best to achieve it. As you have come very close to it, work hard, fight for it and try to achieve it.”
And try Sindhu did, playing her heart out but ultimately bowing to a better athlete, the world’s number one player known as the ‘Rafel Nadal of badminton’ in Spain.
And the father acknowledged just that.
“Of course, Carolina Marin was a deserving winner as she played exceptionally well. The way Carolina moved around the court was great, this is what Sindhu has to learn. I am sure, in the coming years, Sindhu will perform better and go on to bring more laurels.”