It is always great to come back with a medal, says Saina Nehwal

08/31/2018

As Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal went on to acquire a bronze at the Asian Games 2018, she shared that it is a matter of great happiness to come back with a medal. The players arrived back at Gopichand Academy, where silver medalist PV Sindhu and Nehwal celebrated their achievement.

Pullela Gopichand was proud to show off his two most efficient women's players, who won individual medals at the quadrennial event. Saina told that achieving a medal is no easy task, and bringing back a medal is always great.

“It is never easy to win a medal in an event like Asian Games which comes once in four years. It is always great to come back with a medal and to see the happiness of the fans all over,” Saina said.

“Yes, the target will be definitely to change the colour of the medal next time hopefully. We have been through tough situations where it didn’t matter whether we were facing the World No.1 for No. 50. But, I am glad that I could win a medal in my fourth Asian Games and this completes my achievements in all major international events including Olympics, Worlds, Super Series and now the Asian Games,” she added.

PV Sindhu was also ecstatic on her achievement, stating that bagging two medals in one event was definitely a memorable moment for everyone.

“It feels great when the flag goes high on the podium. Something we can’t express. For me this was second Asiad and winning individual silver (after team bronze in last edition) is a great feeling,” Sindhu said.

“The journey since 2016 Rio Olympics silver has been great. Definitely, I can’t compare my silver in all three events- Olympics, Worlds (twice) and now Asian Games. But, I must say all are special moments for me,” she added.

Coach Pullela Gopichand, on the other hand, is happy with the achievements. He mentioned that the Sindhu and Nehwal are still playing and there are high chances of claiming a gold in future.

“I don’t think this is the last final we (Sindhu vs Tai Tzu) played. Very proud moment to see the first women’s individual medals in Asiad which was almost like Olympics. I must say both Saina and Sindhu have many years of badminton left. So, hopefully will win a gold in four years time,” he said.

“Well, to beat the likes of Tai Tzu who I think is a complete package of a champion player, one has to be consistent and really work hard. We have never seen a woman player like her, who is aggressive, smart, emotionally strong and runs around quite a bit. You have to have your game at top level consistently. Still, I believe both Saina and Sindhu had their moments against Tai Tzu,” Gopichand added.

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