On August 1, 2024, the hopes of Indian badminton fans were dashed as PV Sindhu, a double Olympic medalist, was eliminated from the Paris Olympic Dream in the round of 16 of the women’s singles. The 29-year-old Sindhu, who had achieved significant success in the past two Olympic Dream Games, fell short of her goal of becoming the first Indian woman to win three Olympic medals. Her opponent, He Bing Jao of China, proved to be a formidable challenge as Sindhu lost in straight games, 19-21, 14-21.
Olympic Dream
This defeat was particularly poignant as it came on the same date as Sindhu’s triumphant victory over He Bing Jao in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Dream, where she clinched her second Olympic medal. On that memorable day, Sindhu had outplayed Jao with a score of 21-13, 21-15, securing her place in history. Three years later, however, the script was starkly different. Sindhu’s loss on August 1, 2024, marked the end of her quest to add a third Olympic Dream medal to her collection and secure a historic achievement for Indian badminton.
In the match, Sindhu’s strategy involved a delicate balance of precise drops and net play to counter the aggressive smashes of Jao. Although Sindhu managed to bring the first game to a tight 19-19, she was unable to clinch the final points, which allowed Jao to win the game 21-19.
This narrow loss put Sindhu under pressure for the second game, where Jao seized the opportunity, quickly taking an early lead of 7-2. Despite Sindhu’s efforts to reduce the deficit to 4-8, Jao’s consistent performance saw her extend her lead, eventually winning the second game 21-14. The physical and psychological toll of the match seemed to weigh heavily on Sindhu, impacting her performance in the latter stages.
Sindhu’s exit has shifted the focus of India’s badminton hopes to Lakshya Sen, who is now the sole Indian competitor left in the tournament. Sen will face Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals, and his performance could determine whether India secures a medal in badminton. This turn of events has left the Indian badminton community in a state of reflection and anticipation, as they rally behind Sen’s bid for success.
The departure of Sindhu from the tournament is a significant blow to India’s Olympic aspirations in badminton. Her remarkable career, marked by a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, had set high expectations for her performance in Paris. The heartbreak felt by fans and supporters is palpable, as Sindhu’s previous achievements had established her as one of the sport’s leading figures.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will now shift to Lakshya Sen’s upcoming matches and the possibility of him continuing the legacy of Indian badminton on the stage. M Olympic Dream eanwhile, the Indian badminton community and fans will continue to reflect on Sindhu’s career and her impact on the sport, celebrating her remarkable achievements while also grappling with the disappointment of her early exit from the Paris Games.
