Former world champion Sindhu pulls out of Tokyo badminton world's due to injury

TOKYO: Pusarla V. Sindhu, women's singles world champion in 2019, has withdrawn from the upcoming World Badminton Championships with an injury, reported Xinhua, quoting the sport's world governing body BWF on Monday.

"While I am on the high of winning a gold medal at the CWG for India, unfortunately, I have to pull out of the world championships," Pusarla told fans in a social media statement.

"I felt pain and there was an injury scare before the quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games, but with the help of my coach, physio and trainer, I decided to push as far as I could," she added.

The BWF said that following an MRI scan, a medical team confirmed a stress fracture in her left foot and has since recommended the two-time Olympic medallist bed rest.

The world No. 7 was hoping to add another world championships gold to her mantelpiece, given her spectacular form in 2022 after scooping titles at the Singapore Open, Swiss Open and the Syed Modi International 2022.

-- BERNAMA