Bengaluru, Nov 28: Pullela Gopichand heaped praises on his students P.V. Sindhu and Sameer Verma after they reached the final of Hong Kong Super Series badminton championship.

Sindhu loses in Hong Kong Open final; Sameer Verma loses in Hong Kong Open Final

Coach Gopichand achieved a rare feat as he became the first badminton coach whose two students reached the finals in both men's and in the women's singles category in a crucial international championship like Hong Kong Super Series.

Gopichand, when reminded about his rare achievement, reacted ecstatically and said: “Yes, this has been the first time my two students reached the finals together in both men's and in the women's section. I am simply overwhelmed by their success."

Commenting on Sindhu's loss in the final, Gopichand said: “It was not that Sindhu collapsed. She gave her best. But her opposition in the final, Tai Tzu produced a superb show.

"More importantly, Sindhu did not have a reply to Tai Tzu's deceptive shots close into the net. So I am not upset with Sindhu's failure in winning the final."

Gopichand was also not disappointed at all with Sameer who, starting as a qualifier in the tournament, finished runner-up.

The former Indian shuttler said: “Sameer has made an incredible performance in Hong Kong. His key strength is his unorthodox style of game.

"And after he joined my academy five years ago I also did not try to change his style. I am truly grateful to both the student that they presented me such an honour."

Gopichand also did not forget to reveal his joy for his other student Rituparna Das who has won the women's singles in a tournament in Hyderabad on Sunday.

The former All England champion clarified: “The main thing which is making me satisfied gradually is a lot of my students are being able to implement my style of teaching in the matches also.

"They are rewarding my hard work and every day's toil by being successful in the tournaments. That is the best laurel I am getting."

OneIndia News