1. Sporting blood runs in the family, but from a different court
While PV Sindhu is a badminton icon, she comes from a family of elite volleyball players. Her father, P. V. Ramana, was a member of the Indian men's national volleyball team and was part of the squad that won a bronze medal at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games.
For his contributions to the sport, he was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2000. Her mother, P. Vijaya, was also a national-level volleyball player. Despite this strong volleyball lineage, a young Sindhu was inspired to pick up a badminton racket after watching Pullela Gopichand's historic win at the All England Championship in 2001, setting her on a different, but equally glorious, path.
2. The daily 112-kilometre journey for training
Sindhu's dedication to the sport was evident from a very young age. To train at Pullela Gopichand's academy in Hyderabad, she and her father would travel a staggering distance of 56 kilometres each way, every single day. This daily round trip of over 100 kilometres began in the early hours of the morning, often requiring them to wake up at 3 AM to ensure she was at the academy on time for her sessions. This grueling routine, undertaken for years, is a powerful testament to her commitment and the immense sacrifices made by her and her family to nurture her talent. Gopichand himself noted that this willingness to travel so far was a reflection of her deep desire to succeed.
3. She holds an MBA degree
Many fans know about Sindhu's on-court intelligence, but fewer know she has backed it up with serious academic qualifications. Alongside her demanding international badminton career, Sindhu pursued and completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA). She earned her degree from St. Ann's College for Women in Hyderabad, the same institution where she completed her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com). She has spoken about how she had to take supplementary exams because her tournament schedule often clashed with the main exam dates. This commitment to education showcases a remarkable ability to balance the highest levels of professional sport with academic pursuits, planning for a future even beyond her athletic career.
4. She is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan
While sports awards like the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award are well-known parts of her legacy, Sindhu has also been recognised with some of India's highest civilian honours. In 2020, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award, by the President of India. This prestigious award was in recognition of her distinguished service of a high order to the nation through her sporting achievements. This came five years after she was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2015. These awards place her in an elite group of athletes who have been honoured not just for their medals, but for their overall contribution to the nation's pride.
5. She sacrificed her sister's wedding for a tournament
The focus and sacrifice required to become a champion are often immense. A striking example from Sindhu's life came in 2012 when, at the age of 17, she made the difficult decision to miss her own sister's wedding. The reason was her participation in the Syed Modi International India Grand Prix Gold tournament in Lucknow. This choice highlights the single-minded focus and unwavering priority she gave to her badminton career, even at a very young age. It's a story that underscores the personal sacrifices that often go unseen behind the public glory of an international sports star, demonstrating a level of dedication that is truly rare.
