H S Prannoy
H S Prannoy, who played with grit and determination, advanced to the semifinals and became the first Indian to win a medal in men’s singles badminton at the Asian Games in 41 years, while P V Sindhu’s day in women’s singles here on Thursday was over.
Prannoy, who was wearing a belt beneath his shirt and had tape on his lower back, suffered severe back spasms while playing to defeat Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia 21-16, 21-23, 22-20 in the quarterfinals to guarantee India a second badminton medal at the current Games.
Last Sunday, India took home silver in the men’s team championships.
“I believe that it was a really difficult one there. I believe Lee will always be a formidable foe. For me, today’s encounter was quite physically demanding, Prannoy stated.”I’m not in a position where I could claim to be 80% correct. But I would give myself a lot of credit if I were able to pull something like this out. I believe the desire to battle has always existed. So I believe it was worthwhile.
The 31-year-old Keralite collapsed on the court in shock after enduring a grueling 78-minute match. He then raced into the arms of head coach Pullela Gopichand after taking off his shirt and pumping his fist.
Prannoy thus put an end to India’s protracted wait for a men’s singles medal at the Asian Games; Syed Modi had won the nation’s first, a bronze medal, at the 1982 event in New Delhi.
Due to a back ailment, the World Championships bronze medalist was forced to withdraw from the team championships final as India lost to China 3–2 and had to settle for second place.
“It has an impact on me. However, that is how sport is. You can’t give your everything every day. However, you must develop the ability to win matches even when you are 60 or 70 percent. I believe that today was a day when I had to do it, he said.
