Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010: Final Medals Tally and Closing Ceremony

Today is the day when the XIX Commonwealth Games are being brought to an end at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Delhi in front of a packed stadium of 65,000 people. All these people are witnessing the celebration of a successful event in terms of the sporting achievements in the from of a closing ceremony. This day also marks India’s abhijnan (recognition) as a sporting superpower.

The day is important not just because we have capped off a great event but also because the Indian Contingent finished at the second position, only behind Australia. An achievement that is first for India.

In reaching this zenith, a role has been played not just by Indian Sportsmen but by the coaching staff and backroom people (however little their role may be). This combined effort would never have brought true colour had not this effort been assisted by the Indian Sporting fan who turned out at most of the events in large numbers.

A glittering closing ceremony

On the last day, India were in a good position to grab three gold medals through Hockey and Badminton. The Men’s Hockey Team disappointed damaging our hopes to finish at the second position but a surprise gold from Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa mean that India secured the position with 38 golds in the medals tally. This win worth a gold in the doubles women’s Badminton event was India’s first ever Commonwealth gold medal in a doubles event in Badminton.

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa defeated Singapore’s Sari Shanti Mulia and Yao Lei to win their gold medal in two straght but hard fought sets.

This win came as a high point for the Indian contingent in the earlier part of the day but spirits were dampened a little later. India Men’s Hockey Team which is ranked ninth in the world surprised many higher ranked teams like Malaysia, Pakistan and England to set-up a final gold medal match against world champions Australia. This was good enough for India but a 8-0 mauling was not what the hockey fans were hoping for. India played attractive and aggressive hockey in the first 20 minutes of the match putting enough pressure on the Australians.

However, once India missed a penalty corner opportunity and Australia scored their second goal, the floodgates opened. India could never cope then.

Australia has also finished first on the medals tally. Australia won a staggering 169 medals to their bag. Australia finished with 72 gold medals, almost twice to that of the second positioned Indian Contingent.

Coming back to India’s performance on the ultimate day of Commonwealth Games, it was India’s Superwoman Saina Nehwal who made sure that India had the second position in its stranglehold. Saina Nehwal won the women’s singles badminton event.

Saina in action

Saina won the gold beating her opponent from Malaysia in a thrilling three setter and avoiding a match point on her way to victory. She beat Mew Choo Wong 19-21, 23-21 and 21-13.

The final medals tally stand thus:

Country	G	S	B	Total
Australia	72	50	47	169
India	38	27	36	101
England	37	56	45	138
Canada	26	17	32	75
South Africa	12	11	10	33
Nigeria	11	10	13	34
Kenya	10	10	8	28
Scotland	9	10	7	26
Singapore	9	8	9	26
Malaysia	8	8	12	28

Now it is time to bid byes to the sportspersons of 71 contingents and 54 nations, through a thrilling closing ceremony to be presided over by many dignitaries from India and away. CWG as a sporting event was a huge success. CWG Jai Ho!