Indian badminton team poses for a photograph holding a tricolour during the medal ceremony. (Source: PTI)
It was a historic moment for Indian badminton as the country won its first ever gold medal in mixed-team event on Monday, beating three-time and defending champions Malaysia 3-1 in the final. Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Ashwini Ponnappa, Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty pulled up strong performances to be the better team of the two in the final filled with intense maches.
The top position called for celebration as congratulations poured in for the shuttlers. Saina, who led an intense, long battle against Soniia Cheah to beat her 21-11, 19-21, 21-9, was all smiles after the match as she hugged her teammates in joy. After the medal ceremony, Saina posted picutures with her teammates, saying, “Moments after the match yesterday with my friends..#CommonwealthGames2018 #badminton #Goldcoast @PRANNOYHSPRI @pranaav6 @Shettychirag04”
Moments after the match yesterday with my friends..#CommonwealthGames2018 #badminton #Goldcoast @PRANNOYHSPRI @pranaav6 @Shettychirag04 ☺️☺️ pic.twitter.com/J8sTzEzPQL
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) 10 April 2018
Even Sushma Swaraj sent her wishes to the ace shuttler.
Thank u so much for the wishes ????@SushmaSwaraj mam pic.twitter.com/8Od7ukcUiu
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) 10 April 2018
Doubles player Sikki Reddy also shared the historic moment with her fans on Twitter, saying, “Yayyyyyy, we created the history #gc2018badminton #mixedteamevent This is just the beginning guys. Will bring more medals in individual event. Let’s go India let’s go. Thank you all for supporting us.”
Yayyyyyy ???????????????? we created the history?????? #gc2018badminton #mixedteamevent This is just the beginning guys?????? will bring more medals in individual event. Let’s go India let’s go ???????????? Thank you all for supporting us ???????? pic.twitter.com/uSSdFKUhCf
— sikkireddy (@sikkireddy) 9 April 2018
Ashwini Ponnappa congratulated her team by posting an image of the shining gold medal as well as the team picture, along with the coaches. “Yaaaay. Well done Team. #gc2018 #mixedteameventgc2018,” she said.
Day after team gold medal win, Satwik and Ashwini started their mixed doubles campaign with win, beating Guernsey’s Stuart Hardy and Chloe Le Tissier 21-9, 21-5.