Truly poetic that this victory has come during sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra: Sindhu (Image Source: IANS)
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik: Fresh off scripting history as the first Indian shuttler to conquer the prestigious Japan Open, double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu expressed deep gratitude and spiritual joy, dedicating her monumental victory to Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
Sindhu defeated home favourite Akane Yamaguchi to win the Japan Open 2026 badminton title, ending a two-year wait for a BWF World Tour crown in an emotional triumph for the Indian shuttler.
The title win coincided with Odisha's sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra, an alignment the badminton ace described as "truly poetic."