2019 BWF World Championships
Cash rewards for PV Sindhu, Sai Praneeth following World Championship success
PV Sindhu not only become India’s first-ever World Champion but also became the joint-most successful women's singles player
After some stellar performances which saw Indian shuttlers etching history at the BWF World Championship 2019, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced cash rewards to commemorate their success.
PV Sindhu not only entered the record books as India’s first-ever World Champion but also became the joint-most successful women's singles player at World Championships with five medals tied with the legendary Zhang Ning. Following her impeccable feat, BAI announced a cash reward of INR 20 lakhs. This was Sindhu's second major title following her victory at the BWF World Tour Finals last year.
On a remarkable day for Indian badminton, PV Sindhu outplayed Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara to clinch her and India’s maiden Worlds title. It was a rematch of the 2017 finals where the Indian ended up on the losing side. But PV avenged her loss from two years back with an exemplary display to wrap up the finals without dropping any games at 21-7, 21-7.
According to India Today, lauding Sindhu on her impeccable achievement, BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "It has been a great week of top-class badminton, with an incredible performance by P.V. Sindhu as she becomes the first Indian to have the honour of becoming a World Champion. It's an absolute moment of pride for India badminton and the entire nation as we celebrate these triumphs.”
Earlier, Sai Praneeth scripted history by becoming the first male shuttler after 36 years to medal at the World Championships. A cash reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for the 27-year-old who earned plaudits for becoming only the second shuttler to win the bronze medal since Prakash Padukone last won it in 1983.
