#2 PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu has completely owned 2016. Following the exit of Saina Nehwal in Rio, not many expected India to win a medal in badminton at the Olympics. And yet, Sindhu rose above all expectations to win the silver medal and save India’s blushes at the Games.
In her first Olympics, the 21-year-old showed immense maturity to beat some much higher-ranked and more experienced players, one after the other, as she made her way into the finals. In the final match, she faced the world number one Carolina Marin.
After the gruelling match that Carolina won, Sindhu’s magnanimous gesture of handing her rival her racquet and congratulating her, despite her own loss, showed the world what true sportsmanship was.
Later in the year, the meteoric rise continued as Sindhu went on to win the China Open Superseries, and then finished runners-up at the Hong Kong Open Superseries. Her incredible achievements throughout the year ensure her the second spot on the list.
