Join us in honouring Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, born 5 July 1995 in Hyderabad, as we explore her inspiring journey – from childhood dreams to global stardom.
Humble Beginnings in Hyderabad
Sindhu grew up in a sporting household – her parents, P. V. Ramana and P. V. Vijaya, were both national-level volleyball players. While they trained in volleyball, young Sindhu was captivated by badminton legend Pullela Gopichand’s 2001 All England win. At age 8, she began training under Mehboob Ali and soon joined Gopichand’s Academy. She and her father commuted 30–56 km daily for practice – a testament to their dedication.
Rising Star: Early Career & Major Breakthroughs
By 2009, Sindhu was already making waves – winning bronze at the Sub-Junior Asian Championships and debuting at the India Open.
Olympic Glory & Record-Breaking Wins
- 2016 Rio Olympics: Silver medal – Sindhu became the youngest Indian woman to win Olympic silver.
- 2019 BWF World Championships: Made history with gold – the first Indian woman to do so.
- 2021 Tokyo Olympics: Bronze medal, making her the first Indian woman to win two individual Olympic medals.
Continued Success & Accolades
- Commonwealth Games 2018 & 2022: Multiple medals – gold, silver, and bronze .
- Asian Games: Team bronzes and singles silver medals .
- World Championships: Bronze medals in 2013/14; silver in 2017/18; triumph in 2019 .
National Awards & Global Recognition
Sindhu’s achievements earned her India’s top sports and civilian honours:
- Arjuna Award (2013), Padma Shri (2015), Khel Ratna (2016), Padma Bhushan (2020).
- Forbes-listed among the highest-paid female athletes globally multiple years.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Sindhu embodies dedication – waking up at 3:30 am and travelling long distances reflected her “never-say-die spirit”. Her success has not only raised the profile of badminton in India but also inspired countless young athletes, especially girls, to pursue sports seriously.
Her journey prompted increased sports funding, better infrastructure, and greater recognition of female athletes across the country .
A Beacon of Excellence
On her special day, we celebrate more than medals – P. V. Sindhu symbolizes perseverance, excellence, and progress. From a young girl awestruck by Gopichand’s triumph to becoming an Olympic icon, she shows us what passion and grit can achieve.
As she continues to inspire future champions, may her story light the path for every aspiring athlete. Happy Birthday, PV Sindhu—you are truly India’s shuttling star.