Rio de Janeiro: P V Sindhu today said she is happy to win a silver in the women’s singles badminton event after her gallant attempt to win a coveted gold for India ended in heart-break at the Rio Olympics here today.

“I ended up with silver medal but am really happy,” said Sindhu moments after losing her final clash 21-19 12-21 15-21 against two-time World Championship Marin here.

“I’m really proud about it. I’m really happy. I could not win the gold. But I really worked hard. It was anybody’s game.

“A day before a girl has got a bronze, it’s me now. We have all played well. There will be ups and downs in sport like in life. Losing one or two points. I would like to congratulate everyone. It’s been a great week for me.”

Sindhu also praised Marin on her Olymic gold.

“I also congratulate Carolina. It’s been a wonderful week for me. It’s anybody’s aim to win a medal at the Olympics.”

Talking about the final match, Sindhu said: “In today’s match both players were attacking and playing aggressive on court. One has to win and one has to lose. It was her day on centre court today.”

The 21-year-old from Hyderabad said bright days are ahead for Indian badminton.

“Future is good definitely. There are are many players coming up, and many more will succeed. Badminton is doing really well in India. In mens’s singles Srikanth lost very closely,” she said.

Well fought, your accomplishment is historic: PM to Sindhu

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated P V Sindhu for winning the Silver medal in Rio Olympics, saying her accomplishment is historic and will be remembered for years.

He praised Sindhu for fighting it well in Badminton final in which she lost to Spain’s Carolina Marin.

“Congrats for the Silver @Pvsindhu1. Very well fought.

Your accomplishment at #Rio2016 is historic & will be remembered for years,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

The 21-year-old Indian crumbled under the relentless pressure created by Marin to lose 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 in a pulsating final that lasted for an hour and 23 minutes at the Riocentre here.

Sindhu, the two-time World championship bronze medallist, became the first Indian woman player to clinch a Silver in the Olympics and fifth woman player from India to win a medal in Olympics.

PTI