The Rio Olympics 2016 seemed to have a great impact on the fans and the viewers in India. There were some great standout performances; Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmarkar, Abhinav Bindra, and the talk of the town, PV Sindhu, clinching the spot-light.

PV Sindhu: the “underdog”

“It was a step-by-step journey. First the national circuit, then the international circuit. I was the first (Indian girl) to win a bronze at the World Championships. Slowly I got confidence in myself. I was down with injuries, ups and downs but then finally I made it,” articulated the 21 year old Hyderabadi, on bagging the silver medal at the Olympics.

The world No.11’s journey has been a magical one. She’s been through her ups and downs and it finally seems like she’s found her place. She’s fallen prey to criticism and comparison many a times, and the win, almost seemed like a response to the negativity she’d been receiving over the past few years. In addition, the win also ensured that India need not rely on the skills of Saina Nehwal for glory in the sport.

Two world championship medals and an Olympic medal that completely overturns her “Underdog” status in the sport.

A Variegated Day for the Coach

What may have seemed like a perfect year for Coach Pullela Gopichand didn’t turn out to be so perfect after all. While Sindhu won the silver and a lot of hearts, his other trainees, namely the duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta left the audiences disappointed. The duo, who apparently had trained for a whole year, didn’t seem ‘well trained’ after losing all their matches against  M Matsutomo / A Takahashi (JPN),  E Muskens / S Piek (NED) and  P Supajirakul / S Taerattanachai (THA).

Kidambi Srikanth, holding the 15^th rank at the BWF, had definitely given something to cheer for. But, his performances have been on a steep downward curve since he gained a career high in the middle of last year. 

The Post Olympic Trauma

Kidambi Srikanth failed to set a mark after the Olympics. He took part in the Japan Open and lost in the Quarterfinals to Mark Zwiebler. He also took part in the Korean Open, and lost to Wong Wing Ki Vincent in the opening round.

PV Sindhu, however, has been felicitated by various sporting and political bodies ever since she returned from Rio de Janeiro with a silver medal. She was expected to bag a medal at the Denmark open. But, she has not been able to make a mark at any of the Super Series tournaments this year. Her lack of practice was cited as the major reason for her loss. She then took part in the French Open, which was also a disappointment for her fans. And, the lack of practice can no longer be validated as a legitimate reason.

Nonetheless, she’s expected to make a comeback at the China Open, which begins on the 15^th of November. The Olympic silver medallist has been seeded seventh in the competition.