The Indian shuttlers clinched 2 gold medals in the team event at the 13th South Asian Games on Monday. Both the men’s and women’s teams from India overcame the Sri Lankan team to claim the yellow medal to take the medals tally to 16 on the opening day of SAG games that are being held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The men’s team that was led by Kidambi Srikanth dominated Sri Lanka 3-1 in the finals while in the women’s final the Indian eves blanked the Sri Lankans 3-0 to make it a double delight for India.
Srikanth kicked off the competition on a positive note for the Indian contingent as he overcame a stiff challenge from Dinuka Karunaratne 17-21 21-15 21-11 to help India take a 1-0 lead. Soon the lead was doubled by Siril Verma as his opponent Sachin Premashan had to retire when the scoreline read 21-17 11-5 in the Indian’s favor.
However, Sri Lanka was brought back into the contest by men’s pair of Sachin and B Tharindu Goonathilake who defeated Arun George and Sanyam Shukla 21-18,14-21, 21-11 to grab a point and make it 1-2. However, the joy was short-lived for Sri Lanka as in the very next doubles match India’s Krishna Prasad Garanga and Dhruv Kapila outsmarted Karunaratne and Hasitha Chanaka 21-14 21-18 to help India clinch Gold with a margin of 3-1.
In the women’s final all the singles player namely Ashmita Chaliha, Aakarshi Kashyap and Gayatri Gopichand registered victories to give India a 3-0 win against Sri Lanka.
India medal account was opened by Adarsha M.N. Sinimol who won the men’s individual triathlon event. He was followed by compatriot Bishworjit Srikhom who grabbed silver medal to help India finish in the top two of the sport. India also managed to book silver and a bronze in the women’s individual triathlon as Thoudam Sarojini Devi and Mohan Pragnya finished second and third respectively.
India has booked the second spot in the medals tally with 16 medals, including five gold, eight silvers and three bronze.
India is being represented by 487 athletes in more than 15 disciplines.
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