Should we find solace in the fact that this is our largest contingent to date at the Games? And the fact that Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang have already been successful in carrying the hopes of the nation onto the winners’ podium after the statutory four-year hiatus? How then should we accept the way some of our ‘ace’ sportsmen have quietly exited the competition without even realizing that the competition was over for them? Should we look for explanations of the kind that Indian tennis legend-turned-actor-turned-TV anchor Vijay Amritraj shared with viewers a couple of nights ago that one of our young tennis players had walked into the Olympics straight from an injury, with little or no match practice, so we shouldn’t be unduly surprised at his crashing out of the Games? (Wasn’t this a strange place to start to look for match practice, Mr Amritraj?)

Though one is sincerely heart-broken by the fact the fact that Saina came so close to winning more than a bronze (I, like millions of others, believed that she would definitely go on to win a Gold medal!) and that Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had to bow out of the competition despite having put up a magnificent fight, one can’t help but question why mid-way through the Games our rankings in the medals tally (with one Silver and one Bronze medal) is at par with countries like Poland, Mongolia, Norway, Indonesia, Spain and Belgium. In fact, several countries that are above us today in the medals roster (by dint of having won a solitary Gold medal) – Venezuela, Lithuania, Georgia, Belarus, Romania and Brasil – are countries that many amongst our youth would find it difficult to locate on a map without the help of Google Maps!

Over the past 112 years that we have been participating in the games – India’s first Olympic outing was in the year 1900 – India has won 22 medals (9 Gold; 5 Silver and 8 Bronze); contrast that with our Chinese counterparts at this years’ Games –at the time of writing this piece – (20 Gold; 12 Silver and 9 Bronze) totaling 41 medals or Michael Phelps’ individual medal tally as on date (16 Gold; 2 Silver and 2 Bronze) totalling 20 medals (with two events remaining in this year’s Games in which he is expected to win a Gold and a Silver medal).

Given these statistics, I do believe it is grossly unfair to critique our athletes (after all, they did all meet the stringent international qualifying standards necessary to participate in the Games). I would however seriously question what we are doing, or more importantly, what we are not doing as a nation that has led to this obvious drought of talent across a diverse spectrum of competitive sport – 26 disciplines at this year’s Games, to be precise. 

While all of us are proud of being the cricketing world’s World Champions and are happy that our cricketing board is amongst the most affluent in the world, why is it that we have fallen so far behind in so many other areas? Is it, as Mr. Amritraj explained, that we Indians mature late (in physique) and don’t have the strength and stamina to stand shoulder to shoulder with our global peers earlier on in our years? Is it that we lack the fighting spirit or the right coaches to help us compete and breast the tape at the highest levels, despite putting in years of practice? Is it that we fail to spot and nurture talent? Or, is it that we fail to recognize and reward our sportspersons of today adequately so that they inspire our sportsmen of tomorrow? Or, have we become so strongly focused on cricket as a nation that very few people today – parents, athletes, trainers, sponsors and infrastructure providers – see any merit in supporting these sports and those athletes who may be interested in reaching the pinnacle of these competitive sport at the national or global arena? Or, is it all of the above and much more?

These are questions that we really need to ask ourselves as parents, as corporate executives, as thought-leaders and in many cases, as shapers of destinies in our individual spheres of influence – as much we need to ask these questions of those who shape the environment around us. Otherwise, we may forever end up wondering whether we can better our last showing at the Games (we won 1 Gold and 2 Bronze medals at the last Olympic Games in Beijing) and have little hope of even competing with a country called Phelps.

Picture credits:

Vijay Kumar: topnews.in

Gagan Narang and Saina Nehwal: santabanta.com

Michael Phelps: beachreport.com

Read this and some of my other posts on my Times of India Blog: http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/time-travellers-log/

Pebulutangkis India, Saina Nehwal (4) berhasil mempersembahkan medali perunggu untuk India usai memetik kemenangan atas tunggal China, Wang Xin yang mengalami cedera lutut sehingga harus mundur dari pertandingan. Wang yang di gim pertama unggul 20-18 mendarat keras dengan lututnya setelah berusaha lakukan jumping smash untuk menutup gim pertama. Meskipun berhasil menang, Wang tidak bisa melanjutkan pertandingan saat kedudukan 1-0 di gim kedua karena rasa sakit yang dialaminya saat mencoba untuk berdiri.

“Saat ia minum dan meminta lapangan dipel, saya berpikir ia kekelahan,” ujar Saina tentang lawannya. “Ketika ia kemudian duduk saya tetap berpikir ia sangat lelah. Menyedihkan sekali ia harus mengalami hal seperti itu.”

Strategi yang digunakan oleh Saina untuk mengimbangi Wang Xin adalah dengan mengajak selama mungkin. Namun sayangnya di beberapa ksempatan Saina beberapa kali melakukan kesalahan sendiri. “Saya berusaha untuk bermain reli dan mengulur poin karena dia berusaha untuk mendapatkan poin secepat mungkin dengan tampil menekan,” ungkap Saina.

“Catatan Saina menghadapi Wang cukup bagus dan setelah mampu mengubah taktiknya, Saina berhasil membuat tunggal China berada dalam tekanan,” sang pelatih Pulela Gophichand ikut menambahkan.

“Memenangi medali perunggu Olimpiade tentu saja sangat luar biasa, karena saya sudah bekerja keras untuk itu. Saya gembira bisa melakukan hal ini bagi negara saya,” papar Saina.

“Saya rasa ini adalah impian setiap pemain. Saya menginginkan itu dan akhirnya mendapatkannya. Target selanjutnya adalah Olimpiade 2016. Saya akan bekerja keras untuk turnamen berikutnya,” lanjut Saina kemudian.

Dengan hasil ini Saina berhasil menjejaki prestasi yang diukir oleh pebulutangkis Indonesia, Maria Kristin Yulianti pada Olimpiade Beijing 2008 dengan satu perunggu setelah mengalahkan pebulutangkis China, Lu Lan, di babak play-off meskipun dari sisi performa Maria lebih unggul karena pada waktu itu sebagai pemain non unggulan Maria harus berjibaku menundukkan empat pemain putri papan atas dunia yaitu Juliane Schenk, Tine Baun dan Lu Lan serta termasuk Saina Nehwal di babak perempatfinal.

Sementara itu pada partai final antara sesama pemain China, duel akhirnya dimenangkan oleh Li Xuerui (3) melalui laga rubber gim, 21-15, 21-23, 21-17. Wang yang tahun lalu naik podium teratas Kejuaraan Dunia 2011 pada tempat yang sama sempat meneteskan air mata saat pembagian medali.

Dalam laga menghadapi Yihan, Xuerui sebenarnya mampu unggul jauh 15-8 dan 17-9 dengan pukulan-pukulan cepatnya di depan net pada gim pertama. Pada gim kedua, momentum juga sempat berpihak pada Xuerui yang unggul 20-19 dan 21-20. Namun mental tanding Yihan yang lebih baik dan ketenangannya menghadapi saat-saat kritis membuat Yihan mampu memperpanjang nafas hingga gim ketiga.

Saling mengejar angka juga terjadi pada gim ketiga. Wang sempat unggul 9-5 namun kegigihan Xuerui mampu meredam permainan Yihan sehingga unggulan teratas tersebut tidak memiliki kesempata untuk menyerang. Xuerui yang berbalik unggul 14-10 untuk kemudian tersamakan di angka 17. Keuletan Xuerui akhirnya menjadi kunci kemenangan tunggal 21 tahun ini di saat-saat kritis.

“Meraih emas ini adalah memonetum terbaik saya. Namun kejayaan ini bukan hanya milik saya sendiri, tapi juga tim,” ujar Xuerui.

“Bersama dengan rekan satu tim, kami tampil birilian dan memberikan pertandingan yang menarik bagi para penonton,” ungkap tunggal yang berprestasi mengejutkan selama tahun 2012 ini.

Xuerui yang menjadi pilihan di menit-menit terakhir penentuan tim Olimpiade bulutangkis China sempat kalah pamor dari tunggal China lainnya, Wang Shixian yang lebih dulu menanjak. Namun prestasinya sebagai finalis dalam 5 turnamen terakhir, 4 diantaranya merupakan juara termasuk saat mengalahkan Wang Yihan di turnamen All England SS Premier 2012 yang lalu membuat tunggal kelahiran Chongqing ini akhirnya terpilih mendampingi Wang Yihan dan Wang Xin (FI).

London, Aug 4 (PTI) Saina Nehwal gave India its maiden medal in Olympic Games badminton when her Chinese opponent withdrew from the bronze medal contest after injuring her knee while pocket dynamo Laishram Devendro Singh stormed into the boxing quarterfinals with an upset victory here today.

Photo: PTI

powered by: Cosmic Travel Hub

Saina also became the second Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, after Karnam Malleswari`s weightlifting bronze in 2000 Sydney Olympics

PM Congratulates Saina Nehwal on Olympic Medal

Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Saina Nehwal on her winning the Bronze Medal in Women’s Badminton at the 2012 London Olympics, this is India third medal so far at the London games.

Saina said after the match ”I still can`t believe that I have won a medal. In badminton, I never believed that India could win a medal because the competition is so tough. It is a dream come true for me.”

With the addition of Saina`s bronze, India`s medal collection in the ongoing Olympics has gone upto three with pistol shooter Vijay Kumar (silver) and seasoned marksman Gagan Narang (bronze) being the other medal winners. We wish india further more medals at the London Olympics 2012

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal earned India its third medal at the London Games, clinching a bronze under fortuitous circumstances as her opponent and world number two Xin Wang of China conceded the third-place play off match due to a knee injury after winning the first game.

The fourth seeded Indian had saved four game points in a dramatic fightback and was 18-20 when left-handed Xin twisted her knee while going for an acrobatic smash from the baseline and took on-court treatment for the injury.

However, she was back on the court after wrapping her left knee in bandage and immediately attacked Saina’s serve to win the point and the game to be 1-0 up.

But after winning the first point in the second game, Xin could not continue and was wincing in pain before shaking hands with Saina to concede the match and the bronze medal to the 22-year-old Indian ace.

Saina thus became the first Indian badminton player to win a medal at the Olympic Games. She had reached the quarterfinals in Beijing Games four years ago and lost in the semifinals yesterday to gain a chance to play for the bronze today at the Wembley Arena.

This was the second day running that India have won a medal, following pistol shooter Vijay Kumar’s silver medal yesterday.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Sports/Olympics2012/Chunk-HT-UI-Olympics-Discipline-Badminton/Saina-wins-bronze-after-rival-concedes-tie-due-to-injury/SP-Article10-908263.aspx

I would have loved to see her win the gold, but hoping that this bronze is the step in that direction. She’s got the talent and all she needs is a bit of polish. She was lucky this time, but polish is what I would love to see as her winning cause.

At Rank#4 she is among the best of world and I’m sure she is going to be the best.

Olympics is not the end of all, it is just one good platform to show that you have arrived. Go Saina, go and win the world. Olympics will follow.

London: After the defeat in semi-final clash against world No. 1 Wang Yihan on Friday, India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal all set to face world No. 2 China’s Wang Xin in the bronze medal play off at London Olympics on Saturday.

Saina is the first Indian shuttler to play in an Olympic semi-final, lost 21-13 21-13 to Yihan on Friday.

Earlier, the 22-year-old committed too many unforced errors to lag 6-11 at the interval in the first game. Although Saina tried to come back with the help of some brilliant net play, the Chinese employed some immaculate placements and powerful smashes to lead 1-0.

In the second game, Saina tried to match her superior rival and did trouble her to enjoy a one-point lead at the break. But the Chinese world champion soon started forcing Saina to commit errors and moved ahead.

Yihan anticipated the shots and was better prepared and, with Saina hitting wide and long, the Chinese had no problem in cementing her place in the finals.

We are at the mid-way of Olympics and as expected, some hopes have already crashed while some kept the flags fluttering high. Some are still in the fray and some have gone into oblivion. The major question that is haunting Indian contingent right now is – Who will win the Gold?

Indian Shooters have fetched two medals for India, the surprise package being silver medal by Vijay Kumar in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol. Gagan Narang won the bronze in 10m Air Rifle while Abhinav Bindra crashed out in the qualification of the same event. Gagan Narang met the same fate in 50m rifle prone event, while Joydeep Karmakar missed the bronze in the same event. Gagan Narang is still to compete in one more event while Manavjit will compete in trap. Hopefully, one of them bring Gold to the nation.

Indian Archery has been the biggest flop in the games with none of the archers going beyond pre-quarters. Deepika Kumari, a sure shot medal contender crashed out in the first round itself without giving any fight. Indian Archers were unable to find bull’s eye while their opponent kept hitting 10. I think the preparation level was not upto the mark.

Saina Nehwal lost the Semifinals against World No. 1 Wang Yihan easily in two games 21-13, 21-13 and now, she will play for the Bronze. If she wins, she will become the first badminton player from the country to win a medal. She can fancy her chances against Xin Wang as she has recently beaten her in straight games. So, All The Best to her. Parupalli Kashyap surprised everyone with his gritty performance and became the first Indian man to reach quarters of Olympics. Against the top seed, he matched the performance point by point in the first game where he lost narrowly 21-19. He can be a good force in future.

In Boxing, Vijender SIngh has reached the quarters while L Devendro Singh and Manoj Kumar are still in contention of a medal. MC Mary Kom, the brightest prospect for Gold Medal, will start her campaign on 5 Aug. So, there is some hope in boxing still intact. Another sports that is yet to start is Wrestling- let us see what happens there.

Leander Paes and Sania Mirza is fighting it out with the top seed in Quarterfinals of mixed doubles. Though they are trailing 5-7,2-3 but who knows what will be the result. Similarly, Krishna Poonia has easily sailed through to finals but 7 athletes threw more than her 63.54m. So, she will have to improve by leaps and bounds if she wants to achieve her dreams as 5 athletes have thrown beyond her personal best of 64.76m. She must draw inspiration from Anju Bobby Georje, who used to reserve her best for the big competitions. (She recorded her personal best of 6.70m to win bronze in 2003 world championship and followed it with a national record of 6.83m to secure 6th rank in Athens Olympics). So, the wish list is to create a National Record surpassing 66m ( I think, that will be enough to win a medal for her).

My initial prediction of 6 medals seem to be still achievable – one in Badminton, 2 in Boxing and 1 more in Shooting. But, the biggest question mark is who will win the Gold- we can bet on Mary Kom or Vijender Singh or Gagan Narang or all of them .

“हज़ार ख्वाहिशें ऐसी कि हर ख्वाहिश पर दम निकले

बहुत निकले मेरे अरमां, मगर फिर भी कम निकले! “

I did, however, get four hours of guest access at one point, and I used it to fall in love with my second Olympian. First Katarina Witt, in 1984; now Saina Nehwal, India’s sensational badminton player. She lost  her semifinal match today, but plays for the bronze medal tomorrow. I have a feeling I’ll cry whether she wins or loses.

I also, well, not fell in love with, but, to borrow the words of John Walker Lindh (whose heart “became attached” to the Taliban), grew attached to Kiev-born German table tennis bronze medallist, Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

What do these athletes have in common? They’re the top non-Chinese players in Chinese-dominated sports. If Super Saina loses tomorrow, China will take all three of the medals in women’s singles badminton. Does that mean I’m sinophobe? Well, after a fashion, I suppose.

On a completely unrelated note, I’m puzzled by the USA’s dominance in swimming. Why should that be our top sport? Shouldn’t we be doing even better in shooting? With our gun mania? To the best of my knowledge, no other country has a second amendment like ours. How must it feel at NRA headquarters, that we’ve only taken two of the nineteen medals awarded so far?

Penampilan Tontowi yang masih labil mental bertandingnya dinilai menjadi penyebab utama gagalnya duet andalan Indonesia, Tontowi/Liliyana (ToLyn-red) untuk meraih medali. Tidak hanya terjadi ketika menantang duo China, Xu/Ma, di laga semifinal hal yang sama juga menghinggapi ToLyn ketika bersaing memperebutkan medali perunggu dengan menantang wakil Denmark, Joachim Fischer/Christinna Pedersen.

Tertinggal jauh 4-11 pada gim pertama, ToLyn yang tidak bermain pada penampilan terbaiknya, tak mampu keluar dari tekanan yang diberikan pasangan Denmark. Keduanya seringkali gagal meelakukan pengembalian bola dengan baik, beberapa kali Joachim/Christinna menghantam bola tanggung dari ToLyn. Tak mampu keluar dari tekanan bertubi membuat Indonesia harus menyerah, 12-21.

Pada gim kedua, ToLyn sebenarnya mencoba untuk bangkit. Mereka mampu mengimbangi permainan ganda Denmark dan menurangi kesalahan-kesalahan sendiri, keduanya pun memimpin perolehan angka hingga 3-0. Namun sayangnya ToLyn tak dapat mempertahankan keunggulannya, poin terus diraih Joachim/Christinna dari kesalahan-kesalahan yang dibuat ToLyn. Pasangan Denmark pun meraih lima poin beruntun dan balik memimpin perolehan angka dengan kedudukan 5-3. Setelahnya, Joachim/Chistinna kian tampil percaya diri, sebaliknya ToLyn terlihat begitu sering gagal menyeberangkan bola atau membuang bola terlalu lebar ke samping lapangan.

Saat akan jeda Interval kedua, Denmark kembali memimpin 11-4. Posisi ToLyn yang semakin terjepit membuat keduanya terlihat berat untuk menyusul saat ketinggalan 5-12. Gim kedua pun akhirnya diraih oleh Joachim/Christinna 21-12, kemenangan ini membawa mereka ke podium Olimpiade London 2012 dan berhak atas medali perunggu.

“Hari ini kami sudah berusaha mendapatkan perunggu, tetapi memang sulit. Kekalahan kemarin memang mebuat kami sedikit down, kami berusaha untuk bangkit dan fokus, tetapi malah underperformed dan banyak melakukan kesalahan, lawan sering medapatkan poin dengan mudah” kata Liliyana usai pertandingan.

Hal senada juga diakui oleh Tontowi, “Buat saya pribadi, tekanannya memang besar sekali. Apalagi ini pertandingan terakhir dan bulu tangkis belum menyumbangkan medali apapun.”

“Target emas gak dapat, perunggu pun tidak dapat, kami mohon maaf yang sebesar-besarnya. Sebagai atlet kami tidak mau kalah dan sudah berusaha semampu kami. Meskipun kami kecewa, kami harus menerima kenyataan ini,” ujar Liliyana.

Liliyana sebenarnya mengaku sudah dapat bermain enjoy. Empat tahun yang lalu, dia sudah pernah merasakan pressure Olimpiade bersama Nova Widianto dan meraih medali perak. Namun bagi Tontowi, ini adalah momentum Olimpiade pertamanya.

“Tontowi masih muda dan beban ini terlalu berat baginya. Pada nomor ganda campuran, peran pemain putra lebih dominan dibanding putri, kalau dia bingung dan tak dapat berbuat banyak, akan berat untuk kami,” lanjut Liliyana.

Liliyana juga bercerita sedikit tentang apa yang terjadi di lapangan pada pertandingan melawan ganda Denmark tadi. Ia mengatakan bahwa memang biasanya ia banyak berkomunikasi dengan Tontowi dan tadi sempat mengajak Tontowi untuk bermainlah se-enjoy mungkin, agar Tontowi mengerahkan seluruh kemampuannya, hasil itu belakangan.

“Karena mau bicara evaluasi atau apa juga sudah tidak bisa dilakukan di lapangan, dari pandangan Tontowi saja sudah terlihat kalau dia terbebani sekali. Gerak-gerik dan langkahnya di lapangan sudah berbeda sekali, jadi mau bahas soal teknik sudah tidak ada pengaruhnya, tidak akan masuk,” paparnya lirih.

Liliyana juga mengungkapkan bahwa dirinya dan pelatih hanya membantu dan tidak dapat berbuat banyak, karena tekanan itu ada di dalam diri Tontowi dan bagaimana dia mengatur dirinya sendiri.

“Untuk kedepannya, khususnya Tontowi, kegagalan ini bisa menjadikan ini sebagai pengalaman yang berharga. Dia masih muda, semoga di pertandingan lain atau bahkan olimpiade selanjutnya, ini tidak akan terulang lagi” tambahnya.

Tekanan bertubi yang dibebanka kepada ToLyn dituding menjadi faktor utama penyebab kegagalan mereka.  Hal ini mulai dirasakan oleh pasangan andalan Indonesia ini sejak babak perempat final dan sudah mulai diterapkan sistem knock-out atau sistem gugur. Kala itu mereka harus menghadapi pasangan Jerman, Michael Fuchs/Birgit Michels.

“Kami akui tekanan sangat besar, terutama pada Tontowi. Pada saat itu semua berharap ke kami, bulu tangkis belum dapat medali menjadi suatu beban yang sangat berat untuk kami,” terang Liliyana.

Sementara Tontowi sendiri juga mengiyakan pernyataan pasangannya tersebut. Ia mengaku kalau penampilannya tidak maksimal karena besarnya tekanan untuk menang. Selama permainan ia tidak dapat berkonsentrasi.

“Saya akan menjadikan ini pengalaman. Bahwa tekanan bermain di olimpiade sungguh berbeda dari turnamen lain. Tekanannya luar biasa besar sekali,” kata Tontowi.

Teguran agak keras kepada Tontowi juga sempat dilayangkan oleh sang pelatih, Richard Mainaky saat akan memasuki gim kedua karena banyak melakukan kesalahan sendiri.

“Bukan soal kekalahannya, tetapi saya sedih melihat Tontowi yang tidak bisa keluar dari tekanan. Saya perhatikan Liliyana tidak ada masalah, tapi Tontowi yang tertekan sekali,”  jelas Richard yang sempat meneteskan air mata,

“Saya tadi sempat bilang kalau dia main begini, terlihat ketakutan, lebih baik tidak usah main. Dari sini dia sempat bangkit dan leading, tapi kemudian kembali lagi di bawah tekanan,” paparnya kemudian.

“Padahal Tontowi sudah merasa percaya diri sekali selama babak penyisihan, dia bisa mengeluarkan kemampuan terbaiknya,” lanjut Richard yang menilai bahwa Tontowi belum mampu mengatasi tekanan Olimpiade dan masih harus banyak belajar lagi.

Berbicara mengenai beban dan tekanan Olimpiade, dua pemain tunggal Susi Susanti dan Lee Chong Wei sepertinya layak menjadi contoh teladan. Keberhasilan mereka meraih medali merupakan bukti bahwa beban yang ada jika mampu dikontrol dengan baik dapat berbalik menjadi motivasi dan semangat bertanding yang luar biasa.

China Pastikan Dua Emas

Sukses menggondol emas dan perak sektor campuran yang akhirnya dimenangkan oleh unggulan teratas, Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei dengan menghempas kompatriot mereka, Xu Chen/Ma Jin (2), 21-11, 21-17, sang negeri tirai bambu juga berhasil memastikan emas-perak sektor tunggal putri setelah terjadi final antara sesama pemain China.

Saina Nehwal yang diharapkan mampu membendung dominasi para pebulu tangkis putri China tidak mampu berbuat banyak ketika meladeni permainan unggulan teratas Wang Yihan untuk memperebutkan tiket ke laga pamungkas. Dalam pertandingan berdurasi 40 menit tersebut, Saina dipaksa menyerah 13-21, 13-21.

“Footwork saya kali ini tidak begitu baik. Saya merasa tidak nyaman saat bertanding,” ujar Saina usai kekalahannya.

“Saya merasa sedikit tegang dan hal tersebut mempengaruhi permainan saya,” papar Saina yang saat memasuki lapangan langsung disambut oleh para penonton India di Wembley Arena.

Meskipun gagal melangkah ke babak final, pebulu tangkis 22 tahun kelahiran Hyderabad ini masih memiliki peluang untuk menggondol medali perunggu di babak play-off. Kesempatan terakhir untuk membuat sejarah pertama bagi India di cabang bulu tangkis, Saina akan menantang tunggal China lainnya, Wang Xin (2). Kekalahan sengit 20-22, 18-21 Wang Xin atas kompatiotnya, Li Xuerui (3) kian memperjelas titik lemah  Xin saat harus bertemu dengan pebulu tangkis China lainnya.

Duel klasik empat tahun lalu di partai final sektor tunggal putra Olimpiade Beijing 2008 akhirnya kembali lagi terurai. Lee Chong Wei dan Lin Dan yang hingga saat ini masih menempati dua peringkat teratas di deretan nama pemain bulu tangkis dunia melenggang setelah menundukkan lawannya masing-masing. Chong Wei sukses menghempas wakil China lainnya, Chen Long (3), 21-13, 21-14 sedangkan Lin Dan menyudahi perlawanan tunggal Korea Selatan, Lee Hyun Il, 21-12, 21-10. Apakah kali ini apakah Lee Chong Wei mampu membalaskan dendam atas kekalahannya dari Lin Dan? jawabannya akan terurai pada laga final hari minggu (6/8/2012) mendatang (FI).

Correction : I had incorrectly pointed out in my last post “Saina Vs China” that Saina has beaten other three semifinalists at least once in their previous encounters. Yian Wang still remains unbeaten in all of the six encounters with Saina. I deeply regret the error.

Ravi.

Nehwal’s run to the semi-finals raised a tidal wave of expectation in her home country. -Photo by AFP

LONDON: Top seed Wang Yihan deflated a nation of over a billion people when she thrashed India’s strong title hope Saina Nehwal to set up an all-China final in the women’s badminton singles on Friday.

Nehwal’s run to the semi-finals raised a tidal wave of expectation in her home country and she admitted to suffering an attack of nerves as she crumbled 21-13 21-13, despite the overwhelming support of the Wembley Arena crowd.

China’s involvement in a match-throwing scandal that saw eight athletes disqualified this week has overshadowed the tournament and the second women’s semi-final between the team’s second-seeded Wang Xin and third seed Li Xuerui was played in a strangely subdued atmosphere.

Li prevailed 22-20 21-18 to continue her stunning rise to the pinnacle of world badminton, having come from nowhere to win 30 straight matches in the leadup to the Games. The final will be played on Saturday.

Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen won the mixed doubles bronze for Denmark, trouncing Indonesian pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir 21-12 21-12.

Saina Nehwal came to the Wembley arena on Thursday in her trademark black dress, amulets around her neck and the stomach to fight, the way only she can. By the time her match ended, Saina was just one more victory away from a historic Olympic medal.

The 22-year-old Indian was up against a very seasoned campaigner, 11 years older with two All England titles in her duffel bag – Tine Baun of Denmark. The head-to-head said 3-3 when play began in the afternoon. The younger Indian, seeded fourth, knew that statistics did not matter on the day.

There was no baggage when she started; no nerves, just the burning desire to get to the next station against another rival. After 39 minutes on the court, she sent a searing smash into the body of her fifth-seeded Danish opponent, raised her arms in glee, went down on her knees and banged the turf with clenched fists, twice. The scoreline read 21-15, 22-20. She had done it.

“I’m so happy, as it’s one of my dreams to play the Olympic semifinals. Last time (in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Games) I was up 11-3 and lost… I still can’t forget that. It’s a dream come true. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” she said after becoming the first Indian to reach the semifinals of an Olympic badminton competition.

The Indian girl will now meet one of the three dangerous Wangs from China – world No. 1 and top seed Yihan – in the semifinals. Saina has never beaten her, with the head-to-head record tilting 5-0 in the Chinese girl’s favour. But given her performances here, she can dare to dream big.

Saina started with a flourish and was soon ahead 5-2, and then 9-4 as Baun tried to play catch-up. Saina’s drops were in place and the smashes incisive. Baun tried hard to get back into the game and came close to 12-8, but Saina kept pulling ahead and raced to match point at 20-12.

It was here that a small fightback began, with Baun saving three match points. Saina had had enough by now. She had left two returns alone, only to find them in! She stayed in the rally and then smashed – Baun could only come up with a feeble return into the net.

The second game was a thriller. The Danish lady in sky blue decided to make her experience count and take the challenge to the young Indian’s corner. She played close to the sidelines, keeping Saina guessing. It was a game of judgment errors as far as Saina was concerned. She let two returns go by and found herself 4-7 down.

From 7-10, she fought back, eyes focused, teeth clenched. She was suddenly on a roll as she picked five points to go 13-10 up. Baun was by now despairing, talking to herself, looking for a window to claw back. She found that and got five points in a row to be up 18-15. Saina tried to smash her way into the game but Baun seemed to have found her way with clever drops and placement. The Danish pro had got the match pint when Saina’s return hit the net and the score read 20-17.

But Saina was not ready to give up yet. She did not want to play the third game. She saved three match points and equalized at 20-20, the last point stunning Baun who was already celebrating, thinking the return was long. Saina clenched her fist and inched ahead with a delicate drop. Then, like in the first game, she killed the contest with a down-the-middle smash.

China’s Yihan, who will be meeting Saina in the semifinals, said it will be a tough match. “I’m getting closer to the medal but I never think about the future. I’m just thinking about tomorrow’s match because the competition is strong,” she said.

The loud Indian support in the crowd played a role in her win too. “I’m happy they are here. I feel like winning for them. I’m happy the Olympics are in London… there are so many Indian people here,” Saina said, while adding that Hyderabad (her hometown) will be celebrating too. “They will all be going crazy… my dad too.”

It was a great day for India as Saina Nehwal entered the semi final of the London Olympics 2012 on Thursday.

Saina became the first Indian shuttler to reach the semi finals of the Olympics.

Saina entered semi final after beating Denmark’s Tine Baun in women’s singles badminton quarterfinal.

Saina beat Tine Baun by 21-15, 22-20 in 39 minutes.

Saina will now meet china’s Yihan Wang who is ranked No. 1 in the world.

Champion shuttler Saina Nehwal rewrote history by becoming the first Indian to cruise into the Olympics badminton semifinal and bring the country’s tottering campaign back the on the rails after medal hopes shooter Ronjan Sodhi and boxer Jai Bhagwan bit the dust at the London Games here Thursday.

The 22-year-old Saina, the fourth seed, warmed the hearts of her fans with a 21-15, 22-20 win over fifth-seed former World No.1 Dane Tine Baun at the Wembley Arena.

However, before Saina took to the court, India’s date with the Olympics began with a double heartbreak Thursday as highly-rated double trap marksman Sodhi failed to make the final while pugilist Jai Bhagwan fell by the wayside in the pre-quarterfinals.

With hopes of winning shining metals from the two events dashed, the country’s medal count remained stuck at one – courtesy a bronze won by Gagan Narang in the men’s 10m air rifle Monday.

In Image: India’s Saina Nehwal celebrates after winning against Denmark’s Tine Baun

Source: Superb Saina first Indian shuttler in Olympics semis

Text: IANS/PTI

Images: AP/AFP

Apabila pada momentum Olimpiade Beijing 2008 harapan merah putih Maria Kristin Yulianti berhasil mencuri medali perunggu dan mematahkan ambisi trio China untuk menyapu bersih medali yang ada, tugas itu kali ini harus diemban oleh pebulutangkis India, Saina Nehwal (4). Hasil cemerlang yang diukir oleh Saina dalam beberapa turnamen terakahir, salah satunya menjuarai turnamen Indonesia Open SS Permier 2012 dengan membungkam Li Xuerui, memang membuatnya paling layak menjadi nominasi unggulan untuk mematahkan dominasi para pebulutangkis putri China.

Saina sukses menaklukkan tunggal Eropa, Tine Baun (5) di babak delapan besar dengan membukukan kemenangan 21-15, 22-20. Dalam laga 39 menit tersebut, tunggal India yang sempat diasuh oleh Atik Djauhari ini sukses membuat sejarah bagi negaranya sebagai pebulutangkis India pertama yang sukses melenggang ke babak empat besar Olimpiade.

Di gim pertama, permainan taktis Saina membuatnya unggul atas Tine 11-7 pada jeda interval. Tidak hanya unggul dari serangan, penempatan bola Saina juga membuatnya unggul 20-12. Namun beberapa kesalahan sendiri yang dilakukan oleh Saina membuatnya harus merelakan tiga poin untuk Tine sebelum menutup gim ini 21-15 karena smash Tine yang gagal melewati net.

Paruh awal gim kedua menjadi milik Tine ketika tunggal Denmark tersebut mampu unggul 3-0, 10-7 dan 11-10 sebelum jeda interval. Saina mencoba untuk mengubah strategi permainannya dengan mengkombinasi penempatan bola di area baseline dan dropshot serta netting yang sempurna. Saina sukses menyamakan kedudukan di angka 15 namun strategi ini berhasil diantisipasi dengan baik oleh Tine dan membuatnya kembali unggul 20-15.

Smash-smash silang Saina yang senantiasa menjadi senjata andalan tunggal India ini mampu memperkecil selisih poin 18-20. Misjudgement Tine yang mengira bola Saina keluar namun ternyata dianggap masuk oleh hakim garis membuat kondisi kian genting bagi Tine. Efeknya, tiga kesalahan beruntun yang dilakukan oleh Tine mengubur impiannya untuk melaju ke semifinal, 20-22. Teriakan ‘Jai Ho’ dan ‘India, India’ yang senantiasa terdengar pada pertandingan kali ini ikut menyuntik motivasi Saina untuk membukukan kemenangan.

Usai pertandingan, Tine mengakui bahwa kesalahan hakim garis di poin-poin kritis gim kedua berdampak besar pada kekalahannya pada hari ini. “Kesalahan seperti itu memang sering terjadi namun saat memasuki kondisi kritis, keputusan itu akan berakibat fatal sebagai penentu kemenangan atau kekalahan dan hari ini saya benar-benar merasakannya,” urai Tine.

Kekecewaan yang dirasakan oleh Tine karena kesalahan hakim garis ternyata juga dialami oleh Saina. “Dia mungkin hanya mendapatkannya sekali, sedangkan saya mengalami 5 bad calls di turnamen ini,” papar Saina.

Empat tahun yang lalu, ambisi tunggal India ini dipupuskan oleh pebulutangkis Indonesia Maria Kristin dan hingga saat ini memori itu masih tergambar jelas di ingatannya, “Kekalahan menyakitkan dan tidak akan pernah saya lupa namun saya sudah berhasil mengatasinya,” kenang Saina.

Di laga empat besar jumat ini (3/8/2012) Saina dijadwalkan akan bertemu dengan unggulan teratas Wang Yihan setelah pebulutangkis nomor satu dunia tersebut menyingkirkan veteran asal Taiwan, Cheng Shao Chieh, 21-14, 21-11.

Saat ditanya perihal peluangnya menghadapi tunggal China Saina mencoba untuk merendah, “Sangat sulit karena China merupakan lawan yang tangguh. Masing-masing kita akan berada di bawah tekanan untuk hasil terbaik tapi saya tidak akan memikirkan hal tersebut.”

Pada semifinal lainnya, akan saling berhadapan Wang Xin (2) dan Li Xuerui (3) untuk satu tempat di laga pamungkas. Xin berhasil mematahkan perlawanan Ratchanok Inthanon dengan memeras keringat tiga gim, 17-21, 21-18, 21-14 sedangkan Xuerui menghentikan kuda hitam asal Hongkong Yip Pui Yin, 12-21, 20-22.

Kejutan Hyun Il

Satu-satunya kejutan yang terjadi di sektor tunggal pada babak delapan besar berhasil dibukukan oleh wakil Korea Selatan, Lee Hyun Il (7). Menghadapi tunggal ke-3 China, Chen Jin (4), Hyun Il berhasil memupuskan ambisi sapu bersih medali oleh para pebulutangkis putra China. Dalam laga berdurasi satu jam tersebut, Hyun Il yang saat ini telah berusia 32 tahun sukses memetik kemenangan 15-21, 16-21 atas peraih mahkota Kejuaraan Dunia 2010 tersebut.

Di babak empat besar tantangan Hyun Il kembali akan datang dari pebulutangkis China lainnya, Lin Dan (2) yang harus berjibaku tiga gim untuk menghentikan Sho Sasaki (6), 21-12, 16-21, 21-16. Hyun Il yang sempat mengundurkan diri dari squad nasional Korea beberapa tahun lalu namun dipanggil masuk kembali karena ‘miskinnya’ pemain tunggal negeri ginseng tersebut di sektor ini.

“Kita tidak memiliki banyak pemain muda yang berpotensi di sektor tunggal. Kalaupun ada beberapa yang bagus, mereka lebih tertarik untuk bermain di sektor ganda,” ujar Hyun Il.

“Lin Dan masih menjadi yang terbaik saat ini bahkan untuk beberapa waktu ke depan. Kemenangan tidak akan pernah mudah ketika harus berhadapan dengan dia,” papar tunggal Korea yang memutuskan untuk pensiun paska Olimpade London 2012 ini perihal peluangnya menghadapi Lin Dan.

Sementara itu pada pertandingan semifinal lainnya, unggulan teratas Lee Chong Wei akan berhadapan dengan Chen Long (3) untuk mengentaskan ambisinya meraih medali emas Olimpiade paska kekalahan tragis yang dialaminya pada babak final Olimpiade Beijing empat tahun yang lalu. Chong Wei melaju dengan mendepak Kashyap Parupalli, 21-19, 21-11 sedangkan Chen Long menundukkan veteran Denmark, Peter Gade (5), 21-16, 21-13 (FI).

The Indian took off in excellent form with her cross-court and traditional sliced smashes. The fourth seed forced Baun to make several errors in the first game with precise volleys on which the Dane erred.

Saina, a Pullela Gopichand protege, gained a solid advantage (16-9) aided by some exquisite deft touches at the net.

The 33-year-old Dane, an old foe of Saina, tried fighting back but the Hyderabadi proved too good and did not allow Baun to keep her serve.

Saina, 22, with her brilliant on-court movement and deep lunges for the shuttle earned a 20-13 advantage and won the game on her fourth game point.

Baun, determined to fight back, put up a much better show in the second game which almost went in her favour.

India’s Saina Nehwal beats Denmark’s Tine Baun to storm into the semi-finals at the London Olympics.

The Chinese-born girl saved a few game points, mainly because of the error of judgement by Saina and a couple of loose shots but soon the Indian pocketed the game with a beautiful net play.

In the second game, Saina brought out her variations and involved Jie in rallies to lead 11-7 at the break.

Jie fought back to narrow the gap to 14-12 but that didn’t affect the Indian as she moved ahead to 19-15 with a drop and then executed a cross court smash to earn the match point.

Saina beats Dutch lady in straight but interesting 21-14 and 21-16.

Saina in Olympics 2012 last 8 women, its a proud moment and a bright hope for India.

India’s Saina Nehwal cruised into knockout stage of the women’s singles competition.

Saina earned her place in the knockout stage after beating Belgium’s Lianne Tan in a group stage match on Monday.

Saina looked comfortable throughout the match.

Saina  beat Lianne Tan by 21-4, 21-14 in just 24 minutes.

The Indian is likely to face chinese born Yao Jie in the knockout stage who is ranked 20 in the world.