Injured Saina hobbles out of squad
HEARTBREAK Indian ace forced to pull out due to a blistered foot sustained during her Australian Open triumph
NEW DELHI: India’s hopes of fetching five badminton medals at the Commonwealth Games suffered a massive jolt on Friday as ace shuttler and defending champion Saina Nehwal pulled out of the Glasgow event after failing to recover from leg blisters sustained during the Australian Open Super Series triumph last month.
“It is an extremely difficult decision but an important one,” a heartbroken Saina said ahead of the event which starts on July 23.
The Olympic bronze medallist, who is believed to be suffering from a knee injury as well, said she had to take the decision of withdrawing from the Glasgow Games in order to get fit for the rest of the season which includes tournaments like the World Championships and the Asian Games.
Currently world number seven, Saina had defeated Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia in a thrilling final during the 2010 Commonwealth Games to bag a gold.
I CAN WIN GOLD AT GLASGOW: KASHYAP
NEW DELHI: Ace shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, who finished with a bronze at the Delhi Commonwealth Games four years ago, says he i s targeting a gold medal in the men’s singles and hopes lady luck will be on his side at Glasgow.
“Gold is a realistic target. With (World No 1 shuttler) Lee Chong Wei withdrawing, it has opened up the tournament. I am the second seed and I know I can win the gold,” Kashyap said ahead of the team’s departure on Friday.
PALLIKAL WANTS TO MAKE IT BIG IN DEBUT
NEW DELHI: Having missed the Commonwealth Games in Delhi four years back due to a bout of fever, Dipika Pallikal is looking ahead to the Games in Glasgow, where she is aiming for medals in all three categories.
Pallikal, the first Indian to break into the world top10, feels she has a shot at a medal in all events — singles, doubles and mixed doubles — despite stiff competition from Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
“It is hard to believe that it will be my first Commonwealth Games. Though I have a long way to go, it already feels that I have been on the road forever,” the 22-year-old said ahead of her departure to Glasgow on Friday.