PV Sindhu: 25 Wins, 5 Medals, and a Legacy Still Growing at the World Championships
For over a decade, PV Sindhu has stood as the face of Indian badminton on the world stage. From the day she broke into the elite circle at the 2013 World Championships with her fearless bronze medal run, Sindhu has been a constant presence in the sport’s biggest events. Twelve years later, in Tokyo at the 2025 BWF World Championships, she has once again proven why her name belongs in the history books. With her victory in the second round, Sindhu secured her 25th career win at the World Championships—the most by any women’s singles player from the current playing generation.
Alongside those victories, she has accumulated five medals across editions, a tally unmatched in Indian badminton. Longevity, resilience, and an uncanny ability to rise on the big stage define her journey.
A Fightback That Showed Her Spirit
Sindhu’s second-round match was a perfect encapsulation of her character. Facing a dangerous opponent, she found herself trailing 12–18 in the opening game. But instead of surrendering momentum, she dug deep, stitched together six straight points, and snatched the game away. Once that comeback was complete, the second game was smooth sailing, closing out the match in straight games. That win not only pushed her into the Round of 16 but also marked a significant personal milestone: her 25th victory at the event. In an era where women’s singles badminton is fiercely competitive, such consistency across multiple editions is a rare achievement.
Perhaps the most striking statistic about Sindhu’s World Championships record is her dominance against Chinese opponents. Historically, China has produced the most feared women’s singles players Olympic champions, World No.1s, and serial winners. Yet at the World Championships, Sindhu has been untouchable against them.
Her head-to-head at the Worlds against Chinese players stands at 7–0.
- 2013 (Guangzhou): Defeated Wang Yihan & Wang Shixian en route to bronze.
- 2014 (Copenhagen): Beat Wang Shixian again.
- 2015 (Jakarta): Took down Olympic champion Li Xuerui.
- 2017 (Glasgow): Overcame Sun Yu and Chen Yufei.
- 2019 (Basel): Dismantled Chen Yufei again in her title-winning run.
Each of those victories came against players who defined their generation. From the senior stalwarts Li Xuerui, Wang Yihan, and Wang Shixian, to the younger stars like Sun Yu and Chen Yufei, Sindhu has always found her best form against Chinese shuttlers on the sport’s biggest stage. Now, in 2025, the challenge is Wang Zhi Yi, the current World No.2 and one of the brightest stars of the new generation. Sindhu and Wang are tied 2–2 in overall head-to-heads, with their last three encounters all stretching to three games. Given Sindhu’s unmatched record against Chinese players at the Worlds, she will certainly fancy her chances.
Losses Elsewhere, But Never to China
The narrative becomes even sharper when you consider Sindhu’s past exits at the World Championships.
- 2013: Lost to Ratchanok Intanon in the semifinals.
- 2014: Lost to Carolina Marin.
- 2015: Lost to Sung Ji Hyun.
- 2017: Lost the final to Nozomi Okuhara.
- 2018: Lost to Marin again in the final.
- 2021: Lost to Tai Tzu Ying in the quarters.
- 2023: Lost to Okuhara.
Every defeat has come to non-Chinese players. Against China, Sindhu has never once faltered on this stage. That streak, spanning over a decade, is part of what makes her 2025 campaign so compelling. Sindhu’s success cannot just be measured by her victories. It is her longevity that elevates her to legendary status. She made her World Championships debut in 2013 at just 18 years old, and in 2025, she is still among the top 15–18 seeds in the world, still relevant, still feared.
In that time, she has faced two distinct generations of Chinese badminton players:
- The older guard of Li Xuerui, Wang Shixian, and Wang Yihan, whom she fought bravely and eventually defeated.
- The younger crop of Sun Yu, Chen Yufei, and now Wang Zhi Yi, against whom she has continued her dominance.
Few athletes can claim to have spanned such eras while maintaining world-class status. It is a testament to Sindhu’s adaptability, discipline, and love for the sport.
One observation made by commentators during her match reflects a less-discussed quality of Sindhu: her ability to learn quickly. Coaches who have worked with her often note that she incorporates feedback almost instantly into her game. That willingness to adapt mid-match has been a cornerstone of her success, particularly in high-pressure World Championship encounters. Against Wang Zhi Yi, this adaptability could once again be the difference. Matches between the two are typically tight and tactical, often decided in the third game. Sindhu’s ability to stay composed and make subtle tactical adjustments has served her well in such scenarios.
The Round of 16 clash against Wang Zhi Yi is more than just another match. For Sindhu, it is an opportunity to extend her extraordinary streak against China and to once again disrupt the hierarchy of world badminton. A win would take her into yet another quarterfinal, adding further weight to her already monumental World Championships legacy. At 30, Sindhu is no longer the young upstart who shocked Wang Yihan in 2013. She is the experienced campaigner who has carried Indian badminton for more than a decade. Her presence itself is historic, but victories like these keep her story alive and evolving.
Whether or not Sindhu goes all the way this year, her achievements deserve celebration. To still be competing at this level, still seeded, still fighting toe-to-toe with the best after twelve years on the circuit is extraordinary. She has given India moments of joy, pride, and belief unmatched by any other female shuttler from the country. As she prepares for her next challenge, the record already speaks for itself: 25 wins, 5 medals, unbeaten against China at the World Championships.
Whatever happens next, India will always remember her as one of its greatest sporting champions, a player whose career has been a bridge across generations of world badminton.
