New Delhi, Aug 28: President Ramnath Kovind to Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation to congratulate ace India shuttler PV Sindhu's awe-inspiring performance at the World Championship.
The 22-year-old Sindhu went down fighting the final against Japan's Nozomi Okuhara as she settled for a silver-medallist.
Sindhu's breathtaking encounter lasted for more than a hundred minutes with the third and deciding game going down the wire. Sindhu lost the first game 19-21 and came back strongly to win the second one by 22-20. The Rio Olympic silver-medallist lost the third game by 20-22 as both the players looked completely exhausted in a grinding final.
"Well played @Pvsindhu1! We are proud of your game at the @2017BWC finals. Congratulations," tweeted Modi minutes after Sindhu lost a marathon battle to Nozomi Okuhara.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag also congratulated the Indian shuttler on winning her third medal at the World Championship.
"Pusarla Venkata Sindhu - Remember the name. A role-model for a generation, aged 22. India is proud of u @Pvsindhu1 Most breathtaking finals," he wrote.
While the gruelling contest was on between Sindhu and Okuhara, Sehwag had tweeted: "Making India switch off from watching a cricket match while we are batting, what a joy to watch. #Sindhu in full flow. Come on India".
Veteran tennis star Leander Paes tweeted a picture of Sindhu and Saina Nehwal on the podium and wrote, "Watching two of our Champions on the Podium is such a proud feeling!! #BWC2017."
"You are an inspiration @Pvsindhu1 .What an epic display of badminton skills that was. Privileged to watch. Thank you #Sindhu," wrote former India batsman Mohammad Kaif.
Saina Nehwal, another star female shuttler from India, settled for a bronze as she was defeated by Okuhara in the semi-finals.
Here's how the world reacted to Sindhu, who bagged her third successive medal, for her performance in the World Championships:
Well done Sindhu & Saina. India is very proud of you & your medals. Congrats to Japan's Okuhara for an incredible victory #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 27, 2017
Well played @Pvsindhu1! We are proud of your game at the @2017BWC finals. Congratulations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2017
2 of India's finest in badminton bring home a Silver & a Bronze at the #WorldBadmintonChampionionship Congratulations @Pvsindhu1 & @NSaina
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 27, 2017
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu - Remember the name.A role-model for a generation, aged 22.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 27, 2017
India is proud of u @Pvsindhu1
Most breathtaking finals
Our girls have done us proud yet again. Spectacular performance by @Pvsindhu1 and @NSaina. You're an inspiration to all. #sindhu #saina
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) August 27, 2017
India can't just have bollywood stars as role models. We need many more like @Pvsindhu1, @NSaina & @MangteC. Parents - send ur kids to play
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 27, 2017
Damn. But between them, @NSaina and @Pvsindhu1 are creating a badminton viewing revolution. Go girls. Keep making us proud.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 27, 2017
Two Indians on the podium! #badmintonworldchampionships pic.twitter.com/HRTCLtIjrx
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 27, 2017
Hard luck @Pvsindhu1. You are still the toast of the country! Incredible final. Among the best I've ever seen
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 27, 2017
She's a champ yo !!! 🇮🇳✊🏽 @Pvsindhu1
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) August 27, 2017