I see a lot more Olympic medals coming to India: Sindhu

Leander Paes and P.V. Sindhu discuss Olympic medals and talent in India at Sportstar Aces Awards 2025.

Tennis stalwart Leander Paes joined badminton ace P.V. Sindhu on stage in the 2025 Sportstar Aces Awards at the Taj Mahal Palace here on Friday.

Sindhu, the ‘Inspiration Icon’ award winner, was asked by Paes what it will take for India to produce more Olympic medallists.

Sindhu, who won two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games, said, “There is a lot of talent in India. I am sure that there are a lot of youngsters hungry to do well. I can see a lot of potential in my sport of badminton. I see a lot more Olympic medals coming to India. It takes patience, hope and belief.”

Paes posed a challenge when he asked Sindhu which of her two Olympic medals is more special. The 29-year-old Sindhu came up with a fitting reply.

“That’s a tough question. The first medal (silver at 2016 Rio) was definitely the more special medal, because it was my first. The second medal (bronze at 2020 Tokyo) was harder. At Tokyo, I lost in the semifinal and had to play a bronze play-off match. That was much harder

than Rio, when I reached the final and was assured of a medal. At Tokyo, it was bronze or nothing,” Sindhu said.

Paes, himself a bronze medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, nodded in agreement.