Picture Courtesy : The Indian Express
India’s ace badminton star Saina Nehwal’s aggression and intensity was too hot for top seed PV Sindhu as she powered her way to Gold in the women’s singles badminton event. Saina’s win was the nation’s 26th Gold Medal.
The tournament ended with India finishing third in the medal’s tally. India won 66 medals in all – 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze. In Glasgow in 2014, India had won 64 medals – 15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze. India had won 101 medals when it hosted the 2010 CWG .
In much awaited clash with P V Sindhu, An aggressive and determined Saina won 21-18 23-21. It was fitting end to the tournament for her as she was also the backbone of India’s gold-winning campaign in the team championship earlier. playing every one of the singles matches due to Sindhu’s ankle injury. The last time he won Gold at CWG , it was at the 2010 Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Saina Nehwal’s showing in his tweet
Saina Nehwal is one India’s most renowned athletes. Time and again, at various tournaments she has emerged victorious. She pursued badminton with great dedication. An inspiration for sports lovers worldwide, I congratulate her for the Gold in the Women’s Singles event: PM #GC2018
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 15, 2018
Saina’s strong showing effectively silences critics who were not happy with her threat to pull out if her father was denied accreditation. The win also puts to rest doubters who thought her career is all but over after the arrival of PV Sindhu. Saina Nehwal is back with a bang.
In the men’s draw however Kidambi Srikanth and the debutant men’s doubles pair of Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty settled for silver medals on the final day of the event in Gold Coast, Australia.
Earlier, From the boxing ring to the shooting range to the athletics arena, it was India claimed its biggest single-day haul of the ongoing edition, ensnaring eight gold medals across five disciplines. Thus enhancing India’s medal surge.
The boxers picked up three, the shooters added one, the wrestlers claimed a couple, while the paddlers and the track-and-field contingent picked up one each on a truly golden day , which also yielded five silver and one bronze medal. Making the Games memorable one for India.
