Birthday girl Sindhu anxious & ready to play her first Olympics

LANKY SPEEDY AND AGGRESIIVE. Yes, that's the best way to describe PV Sindhu who celebrates her 21st birthday today. This year would be the most special one as she will be playing in her first Olympics in Rio.

She is yet to conquer the world like her compatriot and World No 5 Saina Nehwal but she has made her presence felt at the international stage. No doubt, Sindhu is the future of Indian badminton and she has been inspiring many young girls to pursue the sport and make it their career. Daughter of volley ball players who began playing badminton initially just as a hobby but then took it up seriously and is at the best at present.

A Gopichand academy product, many rewards and accolades have come knocking her door. Including those is the fourth highest civilian award of India, the Padma Shri.

Twice in a row she has bagged bronze medal at the World Championships. Winning medals at such prestigious tournaments is every player's dream and Sindhu has been living hers.

At  present her dream and aim would be to win a medal in Rio. It is a difficult task ahead but with the determination and hard-work, nothing is impossible.  While talking to Sportskeeda, she expressed her excitement of playing in her first ever Olympics.

"I am really excited and raring to go for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Representing your country is always an honour and I am glad to have gotten this opportunity at such an early age and that too at the highest level. I will try my best to win a medal but a lot is going to depend on the draw, which will directly decide the end result."

2016 hasn't been a phenomenal year as after she won Malaysia Masters in January there has been ups and downs in her performance. But 2015 was by far a commendable year and every year the young and dynamic from Hyderabad has been improving. She reached her maiden Superseries final at the Denmark Open but unfortunately had to settle for a silver. The positive sign of this tournament was that on her road to the finale she trumped three higher-ranked players including Tai Tzu Ying (Korea), Wang Yihan (China) and Carolina Marin (Spain).

Later in November, she won her third Macau Open in a row. She has been a promising character on court and do not go by her looks as her smashes can blow your minds away.

During team events, she has also shown her expertise in doubles category. On court everyone is a rival but that doesn't keep Sindhu away from being inspired by Saina.

Now in Rio, the best chance for a medal comes from Saina who will feature in her third Olympics but there definitely lies an outside chance for Sindhu too. Just like former player and currently a full time coach, Arvind Bhat said that it all depends on the draw. Luck needs to be in their favour. The same was echoed by the birthday girl,

"We really hope the draw is on our side so that we can perform well."

All her fans and well-wishers will hope the same for her. TFG wishes the birthday girl and send in their cheers for Olympics.