Kashyap wins bronze for India in badminton

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NEW DELHI: India’s Parupalli Kashyap defeated compatriot Chetan Anand to win a bronze in the badminton singles event of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

Sixth seed Kashyap, who was playing in his first Commonwealth Games, survived a scar in the second game to scrap past third seed Chetan 21-15, 21-18 in the third place play off at the Siri Fort sport complex.

In the first game, Kashyap led 11-7 as Chetan suffered a series of unforced errors to allow Kashyap swell his lead before pocketing it comfortably.

In the second game, Chetan came back strongly and was leading 11-6 but soon he started faltering at the nets and mistakes of the first game against started to haunt him as Kashyap clawed back at 16-16 and then moved ahead 18-16.

A net dribble and a half smash took Kashyap to 20-18 and it was all over for Chetan after he hit the net as the 24-year-old burst into tears of joy amid the boisterous crowd who backed him all along.

"I am very happy to win this medal. I dedicate my win to my coach Bhaskar Babu and Gopichand and also to all the staff and supporters who have helped me in my career," Kashyap said after the match.

Kashyap said his semifinal loss to Rajiv Ouseph played on his mind and troubled him a lot but he was happy he could exorcise those thoughts and win on Wednesday.

"I have lost so many tournaments from winning positions. It happened in the Vietnam Open, Singapore Open and also in the Asian Championship in 2009 when I lost to Bao Chunlai after leading. It is a horrible feeling. So the thought of losing the semifinal kept troubling me last night," he said.

"Even today I was thinking about it but I told myself I won’t commit the same mistakes. So I kept pushing the shuttle behind and it worked. If I would have done even half of what I did today, I could have won it yesterday," he added.

Asked about his next assignment, Kashyap said, "I would be leaving for Danish Open on October 24. My next aim is to win a medal at the Asian Games."

Melbourne bronze medallist Chetan said he was disappointed by his defeat.

"I am disappointed with my defeat but I am happy at least an Indian won a bronze. I will have to regroup myself and get my confidence back. I will play the Dutch Open next which I won last year. I hope I can win it and gain some confidence," he said.

Earlier, Liz Cann battled past Melbourne bronze medallist Susan Egelstaff 21-18, 21-16 in a 36-minute clash to win the bronze medal for England.

"I played well. I was in this situation four years back when I was defeated by Egelstaff so I feel amazing winning today," Liz said.

"It has been a long tournament. We have been playing for so long. There was constant pressure whether I would be able to do it but I am happy I played some of the best matches of my life here," she added.

In men’s doubles, Singapore pair of Saputra Hendri Kurniawan and Hendra Wijaya struggled past compatriots Chayut Triyachart and Wong Zi Liang Derek 23-21, 21-12.

While comeback queens Tane He Tian and Kate Wilson-Smith won a marathon battle against Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White of England 21-23, 21-12, 21-16 in Women doubles to win the bronze for Australia, ending a 12-year drought.

"The first set was really close. Then in the second set we changed our game plan. We tried to focus and maintain the game rhythm, have a really good rally," Kate said.

"The first medal we [Australia] won was in 1998. This medal will be a real inspiration for the young players. It is a huge success for our country.

"We really wanted this medal so that the young talent in our country can train themselves harder, and I believe they can do it," she added.

In the mixed doubles, Chayut Triyachart and Yao Lei won the second bronze for Singapore after beating Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying (Mas) 21-14, 17-21, 21 in 51-minute match.

"We had a good win. I played in the Men’s Doubles yesterday and it was hard. I was tired today," Chayut said.

"You know in the third set we had the advantage at 12-6. We then made it 13-6 when my opponent (CHAN) put his hand in the air [to signal that he was not ready to receive serve]. After this happened my opponent was off his game. At the end of the match I got nervous at 20-15 but I am happy to get the win," he said.

Lei said she is happy to win a bronze on her first commonwealth Games.

"It is my first Commonwealth Games. It is good to win a medal but I just want to prepare for tomorrow (Women Doubles final)," she said.
 

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