Indian athletes had quite a successful outing at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast, putting up their third-best show after the Delhi games in 2010 and Manchester games in 2002, bagging a total 66 medals.
India finished the 2018 Commonwealth Games third with 26 gold medals, 20 silver ones and 20 bronze medals.
This is an incredible and unprecedented phase for Indian badminton .
The Badminton Women’s Singles final was an all-India affair with the 28-year-old Saina Nehwal taking on Pusarla V Sindhu. It was close in both games, until Nehwal edged her opponent at the death, 21-18 23-21, for her second individual gold medal of the Commonwealth Games following her title victory in 2010.
Saina had won the first game comfortably but she was made to work for the title in the second game. Saina came all guns blazing and looked the more aggressive of the two from the outset. She was able to convert her aggression into points, going into the mid-break of the first game with a handy 11-6 lead.
The second game was a complete contrast to the first as Sindhu showed some fire and pegged back Saina with some lethal smashes. She went into the mid-break with a 11-8 lead and seemed the match would go into a decider. But Sania launched a fierce fightback to eat into Sindhu’s lead. She won a marathon rally with a down the line smash to make it 18-19. Eventually winning the game.
Many Indians watched the finals and it was also watched by Indian Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. After the finals Sachin Tendulkar had a message for both finalists. He took to Twitter and said “Two of India’s daughters fought it out in the #GC2018Badminton final for a Gold Medal. Extremely proud of you both. Setting a perfect example for budding players. Congratulations, Saina Nehwal on emerging victorious and well fought, PV Sindhu.”
Here is the tweet:
Two of India’s daughters fought it out in the #GC2018Badminton final for a Gold Medal. Extremely proud of you both. Setting a perfect example for budding players.
Congratulations, @NSaina on emerging victorious and well fought, @Pvsindhu1.#GC2018 pic.twitter.com/XWxSH2JFeI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 15, 2018