How Virat Kohli's Conversation Sparked PV Sindhu's Japan Open 2026 Title Win
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu clinched her maiden BWF Japan Open 2026 Super 750 title on July 19, 2026, ending a nearly two-year drought. The 31-year-old, ranked 10th, defeated home favourite Akane Yamaguchi (21-17, 21-17) in Tokyo. Sindhu credited a remark from cricket icon Virat Kohli for her resurgence.
Tokyo witnessed a historic moment as Indian badminton star PV Sindhu clinched her maiden BWF Japan Open Super 750 title, defeating home favourite and World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi in straight games (21-17, 21-17). The triumph marked Sindhu's first major title in almost two years and made her the first Indian shuttler ever to win the prestigious Japan Open. However, behind this resurgence was not just rigorous training, but a conversation with none other than cricket icon Virat Kohli. PV Sindhu Scripts History, Stuns Akane Yamaguchi to Become First Indian to Win Japan Open.
Struggling with form, injuries, and self-doubt after an early exit at the Paris Olympics, the 31-year-old Sindhu candidly admitted seeking guidance from Kohli, who himself endured a prolonged wait for an international century. Her question to him was simple: how did he cope during such testing times?
The Virat Kohli Conversation
While the exact words exchanged remain private, Sindhu revealed that Kohli's advice centered on rediscovering the sheer joy and passion that initially drew her to the sport, rather than focusing solely on winning trophies. "What we spoke about will always stay between us. But I'll always be grateful that when I needed someone, he was there. He didn't say much, but every word stayed with Datta and me," Sindhu was quoted saying, referring to her support team. She added, "The biggest thing I took away was the importance of finding your joy again."
PV Sindhu's Post
Shivani, I have to say this first… you’re such an incredible writer. ❤️ I genuinely love reading everything you write.
Also… getting Datta to talk this much genuinely feels like an achievement. 😂 He’s usually the one asking all the questions, never answering them.
— PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1) July 20, 2026
This shift in mindset proved to be a turning point for the two-time Olympic medallist. Rather than chasing results, Sindhu began to focus on the process, on enjoying her 5:30 AM training sessions, and on rebuilding her game from the ground up, aided by a dedicated 13-person team and advanced sports science.
Dominant Performance in Tokyo
The impact of this renewed perspective was evident in her Japan Open performance. Ranked 10th in the world coming into the tournament, Sindhu displayed remarkable control and aggression against Yamaguchi. She had not beaten the Japanese star in a completed match for nearly four years, making this victory even more significant.
Japan Open 2026 Women's Singles Final - Key Match Stats:
- Match: PV Sindhu (India) vs Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
- Date: July 19, 2026 (Sunday)
- Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo
- Competition: BWF Japan Open Super 750 Final
- Score: 21-17, 21-17 (Sindhu won in straight games)
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Key Moments: Sindhu came back from 17-17 to win the first game 21-17, then led the second game from 8-3, closing it out despite a late challenge from Yamaguchi.
This victory, her first Super 750 title, not only ended a significant title drought since her last win at the Syed Modi International in December 2024 but also provided a timely confidence boost for Sindhu, who is now setting her sights on a medal at the upcoming BWF World Championships in New Delhi next month. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the impact of mental resilience and finding joy in the pursuit of excellence.
Japan Open 2026 Singles Champions
- Women's Singles: PV Sindhu (India)
- Men's Singles: Christo Popov (France)
Sindhu's historic win, fueled by a simple yet profound piece of advice, signals a strong comeback and reasserts her position as a formidable force in international badminton, proving that even at 31, her journey is far from over.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2026 01:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
