On this day: The spectacular PV Sindhu vs Carolina Marin WS final at Rio Olympics 2016


On this day: The spectacular PV Sindhu vs Carolina Marin WS final at Rio Olympics 2016

Pv marin

WS Finals at Rio 2016
Credits: Twitter | The WS finals at Rio 2016 was a strongly contested match

It was the 19th of August, 2016 with a thundering crowd at Riocentro Convention & Event Center. The world was going to witness one of the finest matches in Badminton in the Olympics. Carolina Marin of Spain walked in like a lioness, eagerly waiting to grab the coveted Olympic gold medal. PV Sindhu, “out of syllabus” as she was called, carried hopes of billions of people from her home country who hoped for a historic Gold medal.

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Journey to the WS final at Rio Olympics 2016 of Sindhu and Carolina

Carolina Marin led the head- to head count 4-2 against Sindhu. The ninth seeded Spaniard was in fiery form, breezing past her opponents in the group stage and up to the finals. She beat them all in straight games, even the likes of 7th Seed Sung Ji Hyun and former Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui.

On the contrary The Indian had a rather long journey to the final game. In the round of 16 she vanquished 8th seed Tai Tzu Ying. She then defeated Wang Yihan in a 55 minute encounter and the Japanese Nozomi Okuhara in the semi final lasting 51 minutes.

The Indian fans chanted “Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega”, while the Spanish fans cheered for Carolina!

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Sindhu won the closely contested first game

The World number one stormed her way to the lead at the mid game interval, 11-6. Sindhu gradually picked up rhythm in the second half. She won a 52 shot long rally showing how she evolved as an all round player. The improvement in her game was evident. At a critical stage of 19-16, with Sindhu trailing, Marin seemed off the mark. She gifted away points to Sindhu with unforced errors bringing the game back level at 19-19. Sindhu pocketed two more points’ one an error from Marin and another with a beautiful kill at the net. Leaping and punching her fist into the air Sindhu walked off the court celebrating her first game win.

PV sindhu win the first game at WS final at Rio Olympics 2016
Credits: Twitter | PV Sindhu celebrating after winning the first game at the WS final at Rio Olympics 2016

Carolina Marin snatched away the second game

The tables turned in the second game. The queen of comebacks, true to her title, quickly took a 4-0 lead. Soon the score was 9-2. Ruthless rallies and exchanges made the fans cheer louder and louder. Marin led 11-2 at the mid game interval, leaving Sindhu perplexed as to what just happened. IN the second half PV Sindhu managed to pick a few points. However the left handed Spaniard was in complete control of the game. Precise strokes and placements paved way for Marin to win the game 21-12. The match was back level at one game all.

Carolina Marin at Rio 2016
Credits: Twitter | Carolina Marin at Rio 2016

Also Read: Badminton: Singles players who have won both Olympics and World Championships

The nail-biting decider of WS final at Rio Olympics 2016

A confident Marin took on a now nervous Sindhu in the third game with much aggression. Each player worked hard and made each other work hard, moving all around the court. The score line was close, being 9-8 with the Indian trailing. Raining a few precise body smashes, the right handed player came back level at 10-10. Coaches were literally on the edge of their seats watching their wards play. Adrenaline and excitement were at an all time high at this nail-biting, crucial juncture of the game.

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Showing no signs of fatigue, the red jersey clad Spaniard screamed her way and kept muttering “Vamos” at every point she won. PV Sindhu committed couple of unforced errors gifting away points when she could not afford to. She picked up just 6 points after the mid game-break. Soon Carolina had 6 match point opportunities at 20-14. One match point was saved as a shuttle went long by the world number one. The next point, she won, as Sindhu failed to return a half smash coming down her backhand side.

The victory

Marin cried in joy and collapsed to the floor. Her coach joined her too. She scripted history by being the first European to win an Olympic gold in the women’s singles category. She hails from Huelva, Spain. Badminton is a not at all a popular sport in Spain. The rise of Carolina Marin at the international stage has made the sport known in her home country.

Marin with her coach
Credits: Twitter| Carolina Marin on the floor with coach Fernando Rivas.

Displaying true sportsmanship, integrity and respect, Sindhu picked up Marin’s racquet and placed in her kit.

The Indian’s appearance at the final of an Olympic event was a major feat. Her Hard work paid off and resulted in a sizzling silver medal for her and her country. She won the hearts of millions of people in India and across the world.

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Pv Sindhu with her Rio Olympic Silver
Credits: Twitter | PV Sindhu with her Rio Olympic Silver

World Champion and world number one, the then 23 year old Carolina Marin undoubtedly deserved the Olympic gold, as the world watched her fight and triumph over her opponent who never gave up. In a duel of an hour and 23 minutes PV Sindhu won a silver medal at Olympics in Rio 2016 after Carolina Marin prevailed over her. Sindhu, showed the world what she’s made of and made a clear statement that she is a player here to fight and win. After the spectacular battle, the event came to an end with the national anthem of Spain being played. The Indian flag rose up along with the Spanish and Japanese flag. Tears flowed through each both the finalists eyes. Gold, silver and bronze, it was a proud moment for them all nevertheless.

WS
Credits: Twitter | WS medallists at Rio 2016. From left, PV Sindhu (S), Carolina Marin(G), Nozomi Okuhara (B)

Also Read: 5 matches that define PV Sindhu’s career