PV Sindhu scripted history at the 2026 Japan Open, becoming the first Indian shuttler to win the prestigious title. In an intense 50-minute final, the 31-year-old outclassed local favourite and reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi with a commanding 21-17, 21-17 straight-games victory.
This momentous win secured Sindhu her maiden BWF Super 750 crown and successfully broke a 19-month title drought.
Following her historic Japan Open 2026 victory, PV Sindhu expressed deep relief after ending a 19-month title drought, saying, “After all the hard work… believing in yourself, hoping in yourself, after almost two years, you know, getting that medal and standing on the podium, I mean, all those emotions at once came together and I, yeah, I had tears that I finally did it.” The Indian maestro admitted she could not hold back her feelings at the final whistle because winning gold was incredibly vital to her.
PV Sindhu had battled a severe toe ligament injury and recurring niggles that sidelined her for months, leading critics to question her career longevity. However, a data-driven transformation under sports scientist Wayne Lombard fueled her sensational comeback. Shutting out the self-doubt, she triumphantly stormed back to secure the historic 2026 Japan Open title.
She also talked about this period in her life where injuries were a constant and she was trying to get back on the field to play her game, “And injuries do happen, it’s a part and parcel of life. I was injured then I came back then I was injured. But I think the support staff, my coach, I worked really-really hard.”
Looking ahead to her immediate schedule, which features the upcoming World Championships, she explained how this victory restores her mental edge, noting, “This will definitely give me a lot of confidence for the upcoming matches and tournaments to, you know, maintain the same level of play and stay consistent.”
“It really looked cool”: PV Sindhu reacts to BAI’s ‘Shor Macha Oh Dilli’ anthem
The Badminton Association of India officially launched the high-energy anthem titled “Shor Macha Oh Dilli”, marking the final 30-day countdown to the prestigious BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi. Performed by hip-hop artist Spectra, the track draws inspiration from India’s modern street rap culture to engage Gen-Z sports fans. It uniquely highlights the fearless attitude of the country’s elite badminton generation, bringing together all 16 qualified Indian players, including stars like Lakshya Sen and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, off the court for the very first time.
Fresh off her historic title triumph at the Japan Open, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu enthusiastically reacted to the video. Giving her complete seal of approval, Sindhu stated, “Yeah, it really looked cool actually. I think it’s really cool when I heard that anthem.” The former world champion was particularly pleased to see her teammates loosening up and having a great time while filming the promotional project.
Reflecting on the positive team camaraderie showcased throughout the music video, she added, “And I think it is, it’s really, really, really cool because I see all the athletes, you know, having fun and the whole anthem. The song also was amazing.”
Acknowledging the federation’s creative effort to build massive home crowd hype before the marquee tournament kicks off on August 17, Sindhu concluded, “So I think thanks to the Badminton Association because, you know, they put in a lot of effort and they made it really fun and really, really good. So really looking forward to it.”