Mumbai: Wednesday was yet another great day for Indian shuttlers when they dominated the badminton finals at the 12th edition of the South Asian Games, eventually ending with seven gold and five silver medals.
Eighteen-year-old rising star Ruthvika Shivani created the biggest upset in the badminton women’s singles final on Wednesday when she bounced back from an 8-11 deficit to stun World No.12 P.V. Sindhu 21-11, 22-20 to clinch the gold.
“I had never won a single game against her — forget about winning a match. It’s the most cherished win and I never expected this. These are tears of joy,” said Shivani, who also trains together with Sindhu at the Gopichand academy in Hyderabad.
In men’s competition, men’s top seed Kidambi Srikanth survived a scare before fighting back to overcome compatriot H.S. Prannoy 11-21, 21-14, 21-6 to clinch the gold.
On the other hand, Manu Atri-Sumeeth Reddy delivered one of the finest performances in their career to overwhelm Akshay Devalkar and Pranav Jerry Chopra in the men’s doubles final 21-18, 21-17 to bag the gold.
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also secure the gold for India in the women’s doubles, beating Sikki Reddy and K Maneesha in straight games 21-9, 21-17.
Meanwhile, Pranav Chopra/Sikki Reddy had to work extra hard to see off a serious challenge from Manu Atri/Ashwini Ponappa 30-29, 21-17 in the mixed doubles final, which also served as last badminton match at the SAI Complex in North East Hill University.
