A billion hopes rest on the Padma Shri awardee as she prepares herself to counter the strong Chinese challenge in Brazil.
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People close to her feel that Sindhu will be up to the task.
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"The most striking feature of her game is her attitude and never-say-die spirit," says mentor and coach Pullella Gopichand, watching whom playing as a kid inspired Sindhu to take up the sport professionally.
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The daughter of a former India volleyball player, Sindhu has said she is inspired by Saina Nehwal too, India's No.1 shuttler, who is also from Hyderabad.
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Early years
Sindhu started training formally at the age of eight in Secunderabad and later joined the Pullela Gopichand badminton academy.
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Going from strength to strength, she bagged a bronze Ā at the 2009 Sub-Junior Asian Badminton Championships, a silver at the 2010 Iran Fajr International Badminton Challenge and made the quarterfinals of the 2010 Junior World Badminton Championships in Mexico.
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At the age of 15, she figured in India's national team at the 2010 Uber Cup.
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Sindhu also reached the semis of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and became the first Indian to win back-to-back medals at the World Championships.
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Sindhu began this year with a bang as she won the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold Womenās singles title in January.
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The whole of India would be hoping for Olympics glory for Sindhu -- and for Saina too -- in Rio.
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One thing is certain, irrespective of who -- Sindhu or Saina -- wins a medal the Olympics, Andhra hearts are sure to swell with pride.
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