World championship Gold medallist PV Sindhu on Sunday said initial failures at the international stage were disappointing but defeating the then reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui at the China Open in 2012 strengthened her resolve to succeed in the senior circuit.
Sindhu had burst onto the scene when as a 16-year-old she had stunned London Olympics Gold medallist Li in the quarterfinals of China Masters. A year later, she claimed a maiden Bronze medal at the prestigious World Championships.
She eventually went on to win five medals in the prestigious tournament — two Bronze, two Silver and a Gold, besides the Olympic Silver medal four years ago in Rio de Janeiro.
“When I started playing I was doing well but international standards are not the same. In the beginning, I kept losing in first rounds, qualifying rounds. I realised I needed to go out harder, that is when I kept working hard,” Sindhu told paddler Mudit Dani on his show In The Sportlight.
“I used to feel sad and thinking what mistake I’m making, I am also working hard as others.
“I think that turning point I would say I got in 2012 where I beat Li Xuerui, she was current Olympic champion at that time. Since then I worked extra hard and I have been improving step by step, year by year.”