The significance
Any moment of such magnitude is surely going to assume significance, more so in a country like India, where sporting achievements such as this don’t happen often.
Two-time Olympian and nine-time National champion Aparna Popat felt that while Saina had done well in the past, the Olympic triumph was a stamp as to how good she was.
“I think Saina was doing well before that as well, but the Olympic medal just stamped how good she was. Because not everyone understands what the significance of a Superseries win is, but the moment you say ‘Olympic medallist’, it has a resounding sound to it. So in that sense, it was a huge, huge achievement, especially because she came so close to it in Beijing, to win it in London was very,very big,” Popat told Sportskeeda.
“The wins were coming before that as well. Saina, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa did well in 2011. We tasted success at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 as well. A lot of things we were doing well, but once the Olympic medal comes in, the belief of all the players goes up by several notches. Even after the Olympic medal, when one went to academies, you asked kids ‘whats your aim’, the first thing that came out was ‘an Olympic medal’. They know that it’s not possible to reach that peak,” she added.
Saina’s medal wasn’t India’s first big achievement in badminton, there were a few others as well. When asked where she would rate this feat, Popat didn’t hesitate to put it right at the top.
“I think it would be right at the very top. Because the Olympics has a special place. So I think its right at the top,” she said.
5 shuttlers were part of the contingent that went to London in 2012 and when asked if we can expect more than one medal from the present group at Rio, she exuded optimism and felt that Saina had the best chance among the lot to stand on the podium again.
“I certainly hope so. Last time Jwala-Ashwini missed out on a medal very narrowly. We could have got two back last time as well. Saina definitely is the frontrunner for a medal while the rest have an outside chance.
“Sindhu has done well in the big events in the past. Srikanth hasn’t been in great form off late, so it could be a bit difficult in his case. Jwala-Ashwini have an outside chance.,” she concluded.
Indian badminton has come a long way ever since Prakash Padukone won the All England title in 1980. Hopefully, post-Rio 2016, we will a further rise in badminton champions from this nation.
