P.V. Sindhu Aims for Historic Third Olympic Medal in Paris

P.V. Sindhu, the double Olympic medallist from India, is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge at the Paris 2024 Olympics, as the Badminton Women’s Singles event kicks off today. At just 29 years old, she’s looking to secure her third consecutive Olympic medal, a feat no one else has achieved.

Seeded 10th in the tournament, Sindhu is set to compete in Group M, where she will face off against Kristin Kuuba from Estonia, currently ranked 75th in the world, and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq from the Maldives, ranked 111th. The top player from each group will earn a spot in the Round of 16.

While the group matches might seem straightforward, the real test awaits in the knockout rounds where Sindhu is likely to meet He Bing Jiao from China. The two have a history, with Sindhu having beaten He Bing Jiao in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics, securing her second Olympic medal. However, she will have to overcome their recent matchup at the Asian Games where she lost.

Facing He Bing Jiao will be challenging, especially since the Chinese player leads their head-to-head record 11-9. Furthermore, Sindhu has had a rocky lead-up to the Olympics, so she’ll need to tap into her best form to make a strong case for another medal.

Another formidable opponent is Carolina Marin from Spain, who has been a significant roadblock for Sindhu over the years. Marin defeated Sindhu in crucial matches such as the Rio Olympics final in 2016 and the 2018 World Championships. In their latest encounter at the Singapore Open, Marin edged out Sindhu in a thrilling three-game battle.

Lastly, world number one An Se Young from South Korea stands as perhaps the toughest competitor in Sindhu’s path. The two have faced each other seven times, with Sindhu yet to secure a win. If she breaks her streak of losses and advances deep into the tournament, she might find herself up against An Se Young in the gold medal match.