End of an unforgettable era in PV Sindhu’s Paris Olympics exit

PV Sindhu is out of Paris Olympics (X/mufaddal_vohra)

Ironically, the end came against a player from China. Manufactured to take down the players from the unquestionable rulers of badminton, PV Sindhu shot to prominence by winning a bronze medal at the World Championship in China in 2013. On the way, she beat a few top contenders from the host nation, some of the biggest names in women’s badminton history.

That her journey would possibly end following a 21-19, 21-14 defeat against China’s He Bingjiao in the last 16 stage of the Paris Olympics is a bit of a poetic injustice. Sindhu, Carolina Marin of Spain and Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei were instrumental in ending what used to be Chinese hegemony. They changed the world order and Sindhu was at the forefront of this revolution.

On a sad day for India at the Olympic Games, Sindhu’s defeat was a late hammer blow. Hopes were not high. A silver and bronze medal winner from the last two editions of the Games, Sindhu was well past her prime. Recent records suggested so. But, since it was her and her track record in big events, there was hope against hope. Could she defy logic and turn the clock back?

To be true, despite glimpses of brilliance, Sindhu was never in the match in the real sense of the word. She was always playing catch-up and never had the lead, apart from a brief moment in the second game when the score read 2-1 in her favour. It soon became 8-2 against her and it was game, set, match and an era over in a matter of minutes. He Bingjiao was obviously the better player.

That, however, takes nothing away from what Sindhu has achieved. No Indian can claim to have been at the top of his/her sport for as long as she did. Two Olympic medals. Five World Championship medals including gold in 2019 to go with two silver and bronze apiece — she is possibly India’s most decorated international athlete ever.

On show in Paris was perhaps a fatigued shadow of that towering epitome of power. At 29, she is jaded. Built to bulldoze the Chinese by unleashing fearsome force, it’s difficult to sustain it at this age. Her opponents are younger and as we all know, youth is an irreplaceable asset in sports. At Sindhu’s age, it’s impossible to retain that edge.

However, one must celebrate Sindhu and not bury her! She lost. She was outplayed in this match, but she goes out head held high. It will take years to unearth another like her as far as Indian badminton is concerned. She leaves the big stage with an unmatched collection of medals from the biggest of events. There were none like her. It will be difficult to find another.