Hyderabad, Aug 18 (IANS) Celebrations broke out at Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy here on Thursday night as P.V. Sindhu's parents, relatives and friends erupted in joy after the Indian badminton star created history by storming into the women's singles final at the Rio Olympics.
P.V. Ramna and his wife P. Vijaya rejoiced as they watched their daughter score a historic victory to become the first Indian woman shuttler to reach the final at the Olympics,.
Sindhu's proud parents, who were watching the match live along with relatives and friends on television at the academy, erupted in joy as she defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-19, 21-10 to ensure at least a silver medal for India.
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Elated over the powerful performance of their daughter, especially in the second set, the couple is confident that she will bag the gold medal. "If she plays like this in the final she will definitely bring the gold medal," said a beaming Ramna amid loud cheers by budding players at the academy.
"The first set was bit tense. They were going very close. We are glad that Sindhu clinched the last point and the first set. The second set was also equally good upto 10-all but after that Sindhu went ahead," said Ramna, a former volleyball player.
Vijaya dedicated the victory to coach Gopichand and all Indians. Ramna said that with Sindhu's historic win, the dream of Gopichand had come true.
"We know how Gopichand worked hard and always encouraged her. His only ambition was that we have to win a medal better than what others have won so far," said Ramna.
Sindhu, now 21, had been playing badminton since her childhood. "Gopi told us that she has a good talent and we should not stop her. His dream has come true. I thank Gopi," said Ramna.
Gopichand's wife Pullela Lakshmi, the shutller who played in the 1996 Olympics at Atlanta, exuded confidence that Sindhu will come back with a gold medal. She was all praise for her performance. "It was amazing display of aggression," she said.
--IANS
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