DNA poll: Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu voted Sportsperson of the Year, Virat Kohli finishes distant 2nd
In a year when Virat Kohli hit golden form, Dipa Karmakar’s Produnova made global headlines, Olympic silver-winning shuttler gets giant share of votes.
PV Sindhu celebrates with the tri-colour after bagging bronze in Rio
PV Sindhu was on Friday voted the DNA Sportsperson of the Year after the star shuttler topped the week-long poll. "It's really good to hear about it, and I would like to thank everyone," Sindhu told DNA. The outcome of the poll reflects the tenacity that the lanky shuttler displayed during most of the season.
The shuttler beat the competition from the likes of Test captain Virat Kohli, who has had a superlative year, India hockey captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was instrumental in the team winning the Champions Trophy and gymnast Dipa Karmakar, whose daring Produnova almost got her and India the first Olympic medal in gymnastics.
Sindhu bagged 1270 votes which tantamount to 45.34% of the total votes cast. Kohli was distant second with 480 votes, followed by Sreejesh (368), Dipa Karmakar (215), Aditi Ashok (201), Mariyappan Thangavelu (76), Vijender Singh (57), Devendra Jhajharia (56), Sakshi Malik (43) and Ravichandran Ashwin (35).
Well begun is half done, they say. Sindhu vouched for this by winning the season-opening Malaysia Masters in January, defeating Korean warhorse Sung Ji Hyun in the summit clash. It, however, was not all smooth for her thereafter.
Disappointing homecomings at the Syed Modi International Grand Prix and the Yonex Sunrise Indian Open, followed by a stunning first-round exit from the prestigious All England Club dented the 21-year-old's morale heading into August's Rio Olympic Games.
However, Sindhu, who is known to be a giant-killer, accentuated her reputation as she shattered records at the sport's mega event. By the virtue of her silver-medal finish, she became the youngest and the first women individual to clinch the silver metal at Summer Games.
And it was no cakewalk for Sindhu, who upset the likes of Wang Yihan (quarterfinals) and Nozomi Okuhara (semifinals) before going down fighting to World No. 1 Carolina Marin in the all-important clash.
No wonder, she had achieved what not many could. But, that was not the end of it. The Hyderabadi capped off a brilliant year by pulling off her maiden Super Series title at the China Open in November.
"Yes, of course," Sindhu said, when asked if she would regard 2016 as the biggest year in her career. But, she's not being complacent.
Sindhu, who is scheduled to kick-start her 2017 season by representing the Chennai Smashers in the third edition of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) beginning on January 1, is hoping to make a mark yet again.
"For now, it is just step by step. So, first we have the PBL and after that more Super Series and many tournaments. Hope I do my best. Thank you," she signed off.
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