Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010: India reclaim second position as Boxers take gold

The fight for the second place has not just intensified but it is now moving towards a photo-finish in complete athletic terms. England and India are now locked on 35 gold medals each with a few more medals at stake today and tomorrow. India have medal hopes (gold) from Men’s Hockey, Badminton and Boxing among other disciplines.

The penultimate day of the XiX Commonwealth Games has been one of little action for India except for the last hour or so (from 6:30pm to 8:00pm). In this short duration, India has climbed back on England in the medals tally. At one point of time India was three gold medals behind England in the tally with England at 35 and India at 32.

But medals from Boxing and Table Tennis have meant that India is now joint second (technically third since India lags behind on Silver medals) in the medals tally. The three gold medals have come from Suranjoy Singh (boxing), Manoj Kumar (Boxing) and Achanta Sharat Kamal and Subhajit Saha (Table Tennis).

Commonwealth Games 2010

Achanta Sharath Kamal and Subhajit Saha capped off a long round of victories as they defeated Singaporean Pair of Gao and Yang. This victory for India is against Singapore’s domination in Commonwealth Table Tennis. Sharath Kamal who is India’s top peddler felt satisfied after winning this medal considering that he had a heartbreaking loss in the men’s singles. The score in the final doubles went 9-11, 12-10 and 11-4.

On the other hand the other two gold medals were bagged by boxers, Manoj Kumar boxed out his English competitor in a very one sided match. He beat Saunders of England in three rounds by a margin of nine points, 11-2. Manoj won his medal in the 64kg category.

The other Indian Boxer who won the gold is India’s very own “chota Tyson” or “little Tyson”. Suranjoy Singh was deservedly lucky as he won the gold medal after he got a walkover in the final bout as the Kenyan competitor Kenyan Benson Njangiru was injured.

In Badminton, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa are ready to take a shot at the Gold medal in the final of the women’s doubles event. Also, India’s most famous female sportstar Saina Nehwal is also in the run for the gold medal. She is definitely the favorite. India’s position in the medals taly henceforth will depend a lot on the result of these two matches.

Jwala Gutta

Also in Badminton, Chetan Anand and Kashyab are battling it out for the Bronze medal in the Men’s Singles event and hence a Bronze is assured for India.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth games is drawing to a close and a closing ceremony will be held tomorrow at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium after the completion of the remainder of events. The expectations will be high after the celebrated opening ceremony. The house is full and no more tickets are available for latecomers.

India Hockey team will take on Australia tomorrow in the final of Men’s Hockey event. Coach Jose Brasa has shown an optimistic attitude and believes that India will be underdogs but potent ones. Australia are an attacking side and India will have to be at their best to win the gold.

Meanwhile the Australian eves have won the gold in Hockey beating New Zealand in a tight match today that went to the penalty strokes. In Rugby Sevens, favorites New Zealand won the gold medal.

Good news coming in, Paramjit Samota is leading his final gold bout by a invincible 5-1 (given that he might not be knocked out, hopefully) with only 30s on the clock. India are so on course for the 36th gold that will take India to leave England behind on the tally with 36 gold medals.