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The stage was set in Tokyo on Sunday as India's badminton ace PV Sindhu stepped on the court to clinch country's second medal of the Games this year. She was up against China's He Bingjiao and it was always expected to be a hardly-fought match between two top shuttlers. Both the players had suffered disappointment a day before after they faced defeats in the semi-finals.
Sindhu was one of the leading contenders to clinch a gold medal having not lost a single set till the semis. However, she was completely outplayed by TY Tai on Saturday and lost the match 18-21, 12-21. On the other hand, China's He Bingjiao was defeated by her compatriot Chen Yufei in a thrilling contest. With a bronze medal up for grabs, the duo came out all guns blazing on Sunday and produced an exhibition of badminton for the fans.
Sindhu beats He Bingjiao 21-13, 21-15 in bronze medal match
There was a sense of determination in PV Sindhu's eyes on Sunday as she dominated the match right from the beginning. In the first set, she never allowed her opponent to get into the game as she sealed the set quite comfortably in the end 21-13.
It was a rather close affair in the second set as Bingjiao tried to pave her way back into the contest. However, Sindhu produced some gorgeous drop shots and monstrous smashes to eventually win the second set 21-15 to secure a historic bronze medal for India.
Notably, this is India's second medal at the ongoing Games after Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in weightlifting. India have also been assured of a third medal with boxer Lovlina Borgohain in the semis.
Sindhu enters history books
With her win on Sunday, PV Sindhu entered the history books as she became only the second-ever Indian athlete to win two individual Olympic medals. Notably, the reigning World Champion had also secured silver medal at Rio Olympics 2016. The only other Indian athlete to have achieved this feat was wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won bronze and silver medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, respectively.