Star shuttler Saina Nehwal won a bronze medal in women’s singles event at the 2018 Asian Games on Monday. With Saina Nehwal’s bronze finish, India’s tally has reached 37 — 7 gold, 10 silver and 20 bronze.
Currently, India are placed ninth on the medal chart. Saina Nehwal suffered 17-21, 14-21 loss to World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the women’s singles semi-final clash.
Saina’s bronze is the first individual badminton medal at the Asiad for India in 36 years.
Twitterati reacted to her achievement as India’s 36-year old wait for a badminton singles medal came to an end. Here are some of the reactions.
Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Saina for her bronze medal and gave best wishes for future.
Congratulations on your Bronze medal, @NSaina! May you continue making us proud. #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/LQuQ15BI57
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 27, 2018
“Well played Saina” said BJP president Amit Shah. “Your commitment towards your game reflects in India’s first ever medal in women’s singles Badminton at Asian Games 2018. Many congratulations for the Bronze!”
Well played @NSaina. Your commitment towards your game reflects in India’s first ever medal in women’s singles Badminton at #AsianGames2018. Many congratulations for the Bronze! pic.twitter.com/fzKT2Ql0rz
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 27, 2018
Union minister Smriti Irani congratulated Saina for becoming the first Indian shuttler to win a medal in the women’s singles.
It is a double delight for India in Badminton at #AsianGames2018 as @NSaina becomes first shuttler to win a medal in women’s singles & @Pvsindhu1 becomes first one to make it to finals. Congratulations to both of them for historic feat and best wishes to P V Sindhu for finals.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 27, 2018
Putting up a good fight yet again, Saina reduced the deficit to 15-16 but the Tai Tzu shuttler denied the Indian any further progress as she wrapped up the 19-minute affair 21-17.
In the second game, Tai Tzu once again raced to a 4-1 lead and some unforced errors from Saina helped her to increase her lead to 6-2. Saina again fought back to level the scores at 6-6 and went into the break trailing 10-11.
The issue went 15-14 in Tai Tzu’s favour before the Chinese Taipei girl once again dominated the final few moments to seal the game 21-14 in her favour.
Nehwal had to settle for bronze after suffering a 21-17, 21-14 defeat in the semis. The 28-year-old’s bronze is the first individual badminton medal at the Asiad for India in 36 years.