PV Sindhu Makes History at Japan Open: A Tribute to Lord Jagannath

Historic Victory for PV Sindhu

New Delhi/Puri: PV Sindhu, the double Olympic medalist, has made headlines by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win the esteemed Japan Open. Following her remarkable achievement, she expressed immense gratitude and spiritual fulfillment, dedicating her victory to Lord Jagannath.

In a thrilling final, Sindhu triumphed over local favorite Akane Yamaguchi, securing the Japan Open 2026 title and ending a two-year drought for a BWF World Tour championship. This emotional win is particularly significant as it coincided with the sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha, which Sindhu described as 'truly poetic.'

Former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, took to social media to congratulate Sindhu, stating, 'Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 on her historic win against Japan’s #AkaneYamaguchi to claim the Japan Open 2026 women’s singles title, making her the first Indian to achieve this. Her impeccable performance in the final, defeating the three-time world champion in straight sets, is commendable. May she continue to excel and bring further glory to our nation. Best wishes.'

In her response, Sindhu expressed her heartfelt appreciation for Patnaik's kind words, highlighting her personal and spiritual connection to Odisha. She mentioned, 'My father-in-law, who served as a senior bureaucrat, has always praised your leadership and governance. It feels poetic that this victory aligns with Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. I look forward to returning to Puri to partake in the divine celebrations and seek blessings at the Jagannath Temple. Thank you for your wishes; they mean a lot to me.'

It has been four years since Sindhu last claimed a title at the top tier of the BWF World Tour, with her last Super 500 victory occurring over four years ago at the Singapore Open in May 2022. Although she secured Super 300 titles and a Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, her last major title was at the BWF World Championships in 2019.

The joy and relief of breaking this title drought were evident on Sindhu's face as she celebrated her Japan Open Super 750 victory, marking a significant milestone in her career and positioning her as a strong contender for the upcoming BWF World Championships in New Delhi.