Asian Games 2018: Pullela Gopichand proud of wards Sindhu, Saina’s success

PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal’s success quite unsurprisingly has made their coach Pullela Gopichand proud. Both these women shuttlers have had a good time throughout the competition and while one can walk away with pride after becoming one of the two first Indian women to win individual medals at the Asian Games.

Gopichand, before the Asian Games, had told the Times of India that his team would aim to better their performance from the last year and his wards kept his word.

Saina now has become only the second individual medal winner in badminton after Syed Modi’s historic feat in the year 1982.

Also Read: Asian Games 2018: Sindhu reaches final, Saina bows out with a bronze

Gopichand, while interacting with the Times of India after the event said, “Saina should be proud of how she played today. She won a bronze. For a career that has spanned so long, this was among the medals that were missing after the Olympics, World Championship, All England and Asian Championship medals that she already has. It is a great achievement for her.”

The 24-year old Sindhu is just one win away from a historic individual gold medal in badminton at the Games. The World number three Sindhu outclassed Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in a hard-fought battle (21-17, 15-22, 21-10) to match into the final where she would meet Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying who defeated Nehwal en route to the summit clash.

Gopichand added that he was happy that the 24-year old Sindhu was able to keep her focus and concentration intact after losing the second game.

“That she (Sindhu) played so strongly in the deciding game and beat the World no 2 is great news for tomorrow. She should now be ready to take on Tai Tzu Ying (world no 1) in the final tomorrow,” said Gopichand.