Rio heroes: Sachin presents BMWs to Sindhu, Sakshi, Dipa

Telangana [India], Aug. 28 (ANI): After achieving laurels for India at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, Indian athletes P.V Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, who won medals for the country, were honoured in a ceremony here at the Gopichand Academy and were presented with BMW cars by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Hyderabad Badminton Association of India president V. Chamundeswarnath. Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who missed the medal by whiskers and placed fourth, was also gifted with the luxury vehicle. Speaking at the event, Olympic silver medallist shuttler Sindhu thanked her coach Pullela Gopichand for standing by her and supporting her throughout her journey so far. Wrestler Sakshi Malik who bagged a bronze, thanked the nation for showering her with love and asked for more support so that she could turn the bronze into gold at the Tokyo Olympics. In a star-struck moment, she also asked Sachin to take a picture with her family, saying that they were huge fans of the legend. Dipa, who seemed taken away by the massive support, said that he did not expect this much love and appreciation even though she did not win a medal. Gopichand thanked all the three athletes saying that they saved the nations pride at the Olympics. "No time before has the nation's pride been saved by what these three ladies have done. Last time we had a bronze. Today we are here with a silver. Sachin's support is greatly appreciated. Hopefully this will drive us to perform better in the future," he said. (ANI)