Multi-Year Partnership with Puma India
In January 2025, PV Sindhu, India’s badminton icon and two-time Olympic medallist, signed a multi-year deal with sportswear giant Puma India as their brand ambassador. This partnership marks Puma’s official entry into badminton, with Sindhu leading the charge to elevate the sport’s profile nationally and internationally. Sindhu’s remarkable career includes being the first Indian to win five badminton World Championship medals and earning accolades across the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. Puma aims to leverage Sindhu’s influence to inspire young athletes, especially women, and support the rapid growth of badminton in India, where the sport has seen a 65% rise in participation over four years and boasts a fan base of 57 million, with a strong Gen Z following. The collaboration debuted at the India Open 2025 in Delhi, signaling a new era for badminton’s popularity and commercial appeal in India.
Competitive Performances and Tournament Results
Sindhu’s 2025 season has seen a mix of highs and lows on the court. At the Indonesia Open in June, she was ousted in the pre-quarterfinals by Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in a tightly contested match, ending India’s singles challenge in the tournament. Despite a resilient start, Sindhu lost 20-22, 21-10, 21-18 after leading in the final game. Earlier, at the Badminton Asia Championships in April, she was defeated by Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the round of 16, marking her third consecutive loss to the Japanese star. Sindhu’s early exit from the Malaysia Masters in May, where she lost in the first round to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh, reflected a challenging phase, marking her fourth first-round exit in five tournaments that year.
Recent Achievements and Olympic Highlights
Despite recent setbacks, Sindhu’s stature remains undiminished. She led the Indian women’s team to their first-ever gold medal at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships, a historic achievement that underscored her leadership and skill. Sindhu also served as one of India’s flag bearers at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won her group matches but was eliminated in the round of 16. At the end of 2024, she clinched her third Syed Modi International title, becoming the joint-most successful player in the tournament’s history.
Also Read: The full biography of PV Sindhu, from early beginnings to world champion.