Winning 21-19, 21-17 in 62 minutes to become the first Indian to win gold at year-ending World Tour Finals, it has been announced that Sindhu will receive a cash award of Rs 10 lakh from the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Sindhu’s win has been quite historic. This makes it her first title of 2018. Incidentally, exactly this title last year, she lost it at the last stage when Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi beat her.
Here’s what Sindhu said after the match:
“I got really emotional because this is my first gold medal in this tournament and I just didn’t have anything in my mind. Normally people think like okay it is over ‘how do I shout or what should I do?’ but at that moment, I just didn’t have anything. I just closed my eyes and I was on my knees. I mean I didn’t even shake my hands with her [Okuhara] and the umpire was like ‘okay Sindhu, it is time for you to shake hands with Nozomi but she was kind enough to come this side and give me a hand. At that time I just had tears in my eyes because as I said yesterday, I really wanted this win and I got it. So yes the year ending on a very good note.”
For Sindhu, 2018 has been a flourishing year for the 23-year-old. Sindhu stands at number 20 in terms of earning in the Forbes List. She has created a record for being the youngest celebrity from the south to make it to Top 20. Incidentally, the Badminton player made her debut in the coveted Forbes list of Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2018 in August. The 23-year-old was ranked 7, with earnings of $8.5 million. According to the list, she earned $8.5 million between June 2017 and June 2018, including $8 million from sponsorship and $500,000 in prize money.
Meanwhile, here’s a look at celebrities congratulating PV Sindhu!
T 3028 – YEEEAAAH !!!
PV SINDHU World Champion at Badminton Championship in China .. so so proud of you .. well done PV .. you have fought your way back to the top .. never gave up .. never ever DO .. !!MADE INDIA IMMENSELY PROUD ..🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 16, 2018
Champion girl @Pvsindhu1 ❤️ well done baby girl .. way to bring it home S .. come back soon now for another day spend 😘
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) December 16, 2018
You ARE gold @Pvsindhu1! So proud and so happy for you 💗 #BWFWorldTourFinals #PVSindhu https://t.co/z1QXMYIO9A
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) December 16, 2018
What a win!! History written #BWFWorldTourFinals
Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 pic.twitter.com/H97sR9KvJp
— Venkatesh Daggubati (@Venkateshdaggu4) December 16, 2018
What an incredible feat!!! Huge congratulations on winning the BWF World Tour Finals title @Pvsindhu1 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The whole nation is proud of you… Keep reaching for the stars! #BWFWorldTourFinals2018— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) December 16, 2018
Here’s to @Pvsindhu1 creating history! My heartiest congratulations to you! #BWFWorldTourFinals
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) December 16, 2018
Smashed it and how! Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 for the amazing gold. Keep shining and making us proud! #PVSindhu #BWFWorldTourFinals #BWFWorldTourFinals2018 pic.twitter.com/fm77sjVFlE
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 16, 2018
Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 ! 🙌🏻 You have made all of us proud by being the first Indian to win the #WorldTourFinalsTitle ! 🇮🇳 🤩
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) December 16, 2018