Saina Nehwal today becomes the first Indian woman to enter the Asian games semi-final and assured herself a bronze medal. India has never won an individual medal in women’s singles event at the Asian event. The celebration got more bigger as PV Sindhu followed her up in the semi final which assures 2 medals for India in women’s singles badminton.
Earlier, Saina was 3-11 down against former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand but later bounced back to take the lead 17-16. She didn’t look back from there and won the first game 21-18.
Saina didn’t give Ratchanok a chance to find her rhythm and dominated the proceeding in second game and eventually won it 21-16 to create history.
PV Sindhu was up against a tricky opponent in Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand but she was right up with her efforts in the first game and won it 21-11. Jindapol made a thunderous comeback and won the second game 16-21 to take it to third and decisive game. Sindhu faltered at the start but later gained some momentum to take the third game 21-14.
This was a momentous occasion for the Indian fans and they took to twitter to express their happiness.
Saina Nehwal…
Olympic Medal… ✅
Commonwealth Games Medal… ✅
World Championship Medal… ✅
World Rank 1… ✅
Asian Games Medal… ✅Respect. #AsianGames2018
— Litesh Gawande (@liteshgawande) August 26, 2018
Saina nehwal has created history! Yes you heard it right! After syed modi she become first indian female player to win a medal at asian games! As said by aparna thr only medal which was missing from her kitty was asain games medal and now she has it too! Amazing feat! Hats off!
— Arshneet Singh (@callmearsh) August 26, 2018
Saina Nehwal has assured a singles badminton medal for India after 36 years at #AsianGames. Take a bow, champ! pic.twitter.com/Kor3RQMfRg
— Ujwal Kr Singh (@UjwalKS) August 26, 2018
So both Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu in semis in #AsianGames2018. Both the semis will be tough as Saina takes on TAI Tzu Ying, and Sindhu will more likely face Akane Yamaguchi (to play QF vs Chen Yufei). It will be a dream if we make an all Indian Final. Let’s hope for the Best
— Prabhu ? (@Cricprabhu) August 26, 2018
A very few badminton players (WS) have medalled at all three majors in history of the sport- Olympics, World ch’ships & Asian Games:
*Susi Susanti & Bang Soo Hyun (the first two olympic champions)
*Some random chinese ? (8 in total)
*Saina Nehwal & P V Sindhu#legends
— Vaibhav Manocha (@BeingMinchu) August 26, 2018
And by 21-13 in decider, sindhu too reaches semifinal and fun part is she become second medalist at asian games after saina nehwal just within 1 hour! ???????
Congratulations to both of them! ???— Arshneet Singh (@callmearsh) August 26, 2018
#SainaNehwal and #Sindhu through to semis. Yay!!! They are inspiration to my 11 year old who takes badminton coaching. My daughter is delighted #AsianGames2018
— Siddhesh Dhume (@SiddheshDhume) August 26, 2018
@Pvsindhu1 – you CHAMPION!!
DOUBLE DELIGHT for ??
2 medals assured from badminton womens singles at #AsianGames2018
Was actually fed up of people asking why India doesn’t enjoy success in badminton at Asian Games.
It was just a matter of time!!@BAI_Media @ioaindia @NSaina— Aparna Popat OLY (@aparnapopat) August 26, 2018
36 years without an individual medal in badminton and now 2 individual medals assured in the span of 1 hour. Congrats @Pvsindhu1 and @NSaina. You both are simply awesome. Proud to support you both @OGQ_India ??? . Now wish both can make it a dream Indian final
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 26, 2018