BAI congratulates Sindhu

P V Sindhu in action

New Delhi - The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has congratulated P.V. Sindhu for becoming the first women’s singles player from the country to reach the semifinals of the World Championships in Guangzhou today.

The 18-year-old took just 55 minutes to defeat seventh seeded Chinese Shixian Wang 21-18, 21-17 in the quarterfinal to assure India of at least a bronze at the competition.

“I congratulate Sindhu on reaching the semifinals and ensuring a medal. But she has the capability to go all the way in the tournament and I wish her all the luck in her endeavour,” BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta said.

This is only the third instance that an Indian will bring home a medal from the Worlds. Prakash Padukone won the men’s singles bronze in 1983 at Copenhagen while Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won a bronze in women’s doubles in the last edition at London in 2011.