PV Sindhu Named BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year

BBC has named Indian professional badminton player, PV Sindhu 'BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year'. Four other sportswomen Mary Kom, Dutee Chand, Vinesh Phogat and Manasi Joshi - were shortlisted for this award. In 2019, PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the badminton World Championship in Basel, Switzerland.

Some Takeaways:

• The BBC award ceremony was held in New Delhi and was attended by several sportspersons, influencers and sportswriters. 
• BBC awarded PT Usha a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Indian sports and for inspiring generations of players.
• Sindhu is the first Indian badminton player (singles) to win an Olympic silver medal. Sindhu was 17 when she entered the top 20 of the world rankings in 2012.

Read Also: PV Sindhu Badminton Academy And Stadium To Be Built In Chennai

"Hard work is the key to success." She also said, "I'm sure soon there will be more Indian sportswomen winning medals for the country."

Sindhu said, "I would like to dedicate this award to my supporters and fans that have supported me all along and also voted for me."  The 24-year-old also said that awards like BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year give her motivation and encouragement to go much further.  Sindhu said, "My message to all young sportswomen is that as women we have to believe in ourselves. Hard work is the key to success. I'm sure soon there will be more Indian sportswomen winning medals for the country."

The BBC award ceremony was held in New Delhi and was attended by many sportspersons, sports influencers, and sportswriters.  BBC  also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award to the former sprinter, PT Usha. BBC awarded PT Usha for her contribution to Indian sports and for inspiring generations of players. PT Usha holds more than 100 medals and international awards that she won during her career. Indian Olympic Association also named PT Usha Best Sportswoman of the Century.

About PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu made her international debut in 2009. She received the Padma Bhushan in 2020. She has also won the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri in 2015 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2016. Sindhu has five World Championship medals. She won a gold medal at Asian Junior Championship (2012) and Commonwealth Youth Games (2011).

Sindhu also won a gold at the South Asian Games (2016) and Commonwealth Games (2018). She also is the first Indian badminton player (singles) to win an Olympic silver medal. Sindhu was 17 when she entered the top 20 of the world rankings in 2012. She has won around 20 medals till now. PV Sindhu has also won the Times of India Sports Award (TOISA) for 'Sportsperson of the Year.'  Her Current Ranking (2020) is sixth. She was ranked second in 2017.  She is the second woman to win five or more medals at the world championships. Zhang Ning is the first woman to do so.

Read Also: PV Sindhu Defeated In Pre-quarterfinals, Out Of Indonesia Masters

Mansi is an Intern at SheThePeople.TV