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Parupalli Kashyap, the only Indian left in the badminton singles fray, has clinched the prized gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games by defeating Singapore's Derek Wong in the final. It was a hard fought three-set win, with Kashyap coming out on top 21-14, 11-21, 21-18 in a match lasting over one hour at the Emirates Badminton Arena in Glasgow.
A quick start helps keep fatigue at bay
Coming off a tough semifinal victory over Englishman Rajiv Oesuph where numerous points took minutes to complete, Kashypa went 1-0 up when he won the first game in only 15 minutes. Cheered on by a boisterous crowd with a large number of them being Indians, Kashyap showed no hint of mercy as he raced to a 20-13 lead before wrapping up the game clinically.
All hopes of an easy win, however, were dashed when Wong made a spirited comeback and raced to a 14-7 lead in the second game. Kashyap then showed signs of fight and won a couple of points, but he seemed to lose his focus just a wee bit when a controversial line call went against him. The Indian could not recover from that setback as he lost 11-21, taking the match to the third game.
Battle of nerves in the third game
The decider was a see-saw one with no player willing to concede an inch. With scores leveled at 8-8, it could have been anybody's game. Long rallies and high jumps marked the game as the players looked to win the elusive gold.
Kashyap kept his nerve and surged to a 19-17 lead, before crumbling slightly under pressure to allow Wong to make it 19-19.
But the shouts of 'India Jeetega' from the crowd probably made Kashyap feel at home, as he didn't let the Singaporean score again and raced to his first match point.
Passionate victory for the Indian
After one hour and one minute, Kashyap finally reached the finish line, winning the third game 21-19 and with it the match. He immediately embarked on a passionate celebration, taking off his shirt and letting out an almighty roar. He then rushed towards Pullela Gopichand, the man behind many of his victories, and gave him a long and a well deserved hug.
Kashyap’s gold is the third in India’s badminton campaign at this year’s CWG, after PV Sindhu and RMV Gurusaidutt won bronze yesterday.
