India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu scripted history on Sunday as she defeated He Bingjiao of China in straight games to win the bronze medal in women’s singles badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 26-year-old beat her Chinese rival 21-13, 21-15 to become just the second Indian athlete after Sushil Kumar to win two individual Olympic medals. Sindhu had earlier bagged silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The reigning world champion also becomes only the fourth woman to win two badminton singles medals at the Olympics.

Putting aside her disappointment after losing her semi-final match on Saturday, Sindhu started the bronze medal clash in emphatic fashion as she took a 4-0 lead against He Bingjiao. However, Bingjiao showed her class to level it 5-5. 

Sindhu though upped her game and dominated Bingjiao to take a 11-8 lead at the break. While the Chinese player tried to bounce back, Sindhu was determined as she closed the game 21-13.

In the second game, Sindhu seemed to be brimming with confidence as she played at her aggressive best to take a 11-8 lead at the interval. She was unrelenting and didn’t give her opponent any chance of a comeback as maintained her aggressive approach and went on to secure her second Olympic medal.

Sindhu’s bronze is India’s second medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secured a silver in the 49-kg category on Day 1. 

Featured photo: Twitter/PBLIndia