At the 2018 Commonwealth Games (CWG) held in Gold Coast, Australia, India achieved a historic milestone in badminton by winning the gold medal in the mixed team event. This was a momentous victory for Indian badminton, as it marked the country’s first-ever gold medal in the mixed team event at the CWG.
First Gold Medal in Mixed Team: India had previously won silver in the mixed team event at the 2010 CWG in Delhi, but this was the first time India clinched the gold in this category.
Defeating the Defending Champions: India triumphed over the reigning champions Malaysia in a 3-1 victory, proving their dominance in the sport.
India’s victory in the final was a team effort, with outstanding performances from the country’s top players. The mixed team event is a combination of men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, and India excelled across all these categories:
Men’s Singles: Kidambi Srikanth (India) played a key role in securing the first point for India by defeating Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), a legendary player and one of the best in the world.
Women’s Singles: Saina Nehwal, one of India’s brightest stars, delivered an impressive performance to win her match and give India a 2-0 lead over Malaysia.
Men’s Doubles: The Indian men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy played a crucial role in securing a victory, maintaining their composure in front of strong Malaysian opponents.
Mixed Doubles: The final point came from the mixed doubles pairing of P.V. Sindhu and Srikanth, who defeated their Malaysian opponents in an exciting match, sealing the 3-1 victory for India.
India’s Rising Badminton Power: This victory in the mixed team event was a testament to India’s growing strength in badminton. The country had already seen individual successes in previous CWGs, but this was the first time India demonstrated its dominance in the mixed team category.
Team Effort: The victory showcased the importance of teamwork and collaboration in badminton, with each player contributing to India’s success. The gold medal was a collective effort, with contributions from Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, P.V. Sindhu, Chirag Shetty, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Ashwini Ponnappa.
Legacy and Inspiration: This win had a profound impact on Indian badminton, giving the sport a much-needed boost. It not only celebrated the country’s achievements but also inspired a new generation of players to follow in the footsteps of their heroes.
India’s previous best performance in the mixed team event at the Commonwealth Games was in 2010, when they won the silver medal in New Delhi. However, with the victory in 2018, India surpassed its previous best and claimed its first-ever gold medal in the mixed team event, setting a new benchmark for future generations.
India’s victory in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, was a groundbreaking achievement for Indian badminton. By defeating Malaysia 3-1 in the final, India clinched the gold medal in the mixed team event, marking the country’s first-ever gold in this category. This victory was not only a proud moment for Indian sports but also underscored the country’s rise as a badminton powerhouse on the world stage, with top players like Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, P.V. Sindhu, and the doubles pairs leading the charge.
