Li wins gold, makes history at Games

Female badminton player becomes first Canadian to achieve feat.

GLASGOW: Michelle Li became the first Canadian to win women’s singles gold at the Commonwealth Games badminton on Sunday as she saw off the challenge of Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour and her passionate home following at the Emirates Arena.

Meanwhile India’s Kashyap Parupalli was a popular winner in the men’s singles final as he beat Derek Wong of Singapore in a three-game classic to win gold.

Li, who had caused a surprise on Saturday by beating top seed PV Sindhu of India, was always in control of the final winning the first game 21-14 before cruising to the second 21-7.

“I think I’ve added a better mental aspect to my game and that’s really helped me in this tournament,”
she said.

“This will mean a lot for Canada and it definitely means a lot to me. I’m really happy to have the opportunity to represent my country.

“I’m self-funded but we have a bit of government funding. We still have to put in a bit of our own money though as well as sponsors.

“That was one of the hardest matches in the tournament and I had to focus really hard.

“This will give me confidence to push in the World Championships but I will be going for gold.”

Meanwhile, Australia ensured their 100% men’s hockey record at the Commonwealth Games continued as they thrashed India 4-0 to claim a fifth successive gold medal in Glasgow on Sunday.

And Australia gained revenge on New Zealand by beating the defending champions 58-40 in a comfortable netball final victory on Sunday. Earlier, England claimed the bronze medal courtesy of a 4-2 win in a penalty shootout over New Zealand after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2014.

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