Talent and huge crowd support will help India clinch at least four gold medals in badminton
Talent and huge crowd support will help India clinch at least four gold medals in badmintonOver the years India has done well in badminton at the Commonwealth Games. The reason of course is that powerhouses like China, Indonesia, Denmark, Korea, Thailand, etc do not participate. With two gold medals from Prakash Padukone and Syed Modi, two silvers from Aparna Popat, and a host of bronze medals, Indian badminton has made its presence felt at the Games in no uncertain terms. However at the 2010 edition of the Games, India is set to surpass all previous records.
Saina Nehwal is the top seed and hot favourite at Delhi's CWG. Pic/AFPRich haulIndia is set to have a rich haul of four gold medals at least.
In mixed doubles, Jwala Gutta and V Diju are ranked 13th in the world with only Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England are above them. The 16th seed is the tough Singapore pair of Triyachart and Lei Yao whom the Indians had defeated at the Paris world championships last month. Canadians and Malaysians, who follow at the 18th and 20th spot respectively, have no chance against the Indians. Jwala and Diju have never played the crack English pair but with their huge experience and the fact that they are going through a tough training regime under the watchful eyes of coach Pullela Gopichand at Hyderabad, and given the expected home support, there is no hesitation in saying that our mixed pair is strongly poised to clinch gold.
Lee Wei Choong may be World No1 but has had very close encounters with India's Chetan Anand, ranked 17th in the world.
In fact, Chetan has played Choong five times and never beaten him. But with his knee injury behind him, there is a good chance that Chetan may upset the applecart.
P Kashyap also has had a very good year so far and will be in contention for a medal. Kashyap has taken the likes of Taufique Hidayat, former World No1 and world champion to very close, extended matches in the last three months. On his day, the 20-year-old from Hyderabad, who trains under Gopichand, will be unbeaten and therefore can be a gold medal contender from India.
Saina Nehwal will be the top seed and hot favourite. The closest competition is from Mee Chew Wong of Malaysia. But Mee has a brittle temperament and is unlikely to trouble the far more consistent Nehwal.
The fourth gold India could win is in the team championship event.
Go for it!
