Olympic heartbreak and no net gain for badminton
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram|December 28, 2024
The ever-reliable discipline for India, in terms of providing the thrill & medals at elite competitions, endured a difficult year with some of the top shuttlers struggling for form, writes Anmol Gurung. Missing out on a medal in Paris was a new low...
Anmol Gurung

VER since Saina Nehwal's medal at the London Olympics in 2012, badminton has seen a massive transformation. The most popular recreation-sport turned into a professional one as well. And it was visible everywhere. Take Chennai, for example. Suddenly, every locality has a badminton academy with photos of Saina, PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and the doubles exponents, Satwik-sairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty embossed on the walls; symbolising the rise of the game not just in the country but worldwide. Be it Olympics, World Championships or Thomas and Uber Cup, Indian shuttlers were making their presence felt with medal returns.

Yet, as this year's Olympics approached, everything seemed to have dried up and touched its nadir at the Paris Olympics. For the first time since 2012, India failed to win an Olympic medal. At the BWF World Tour results, none of the Indian singles players had managed to pocket a title until the recent Syed Modi International. Barring Lakshya in a couple of events, it was largely an ordinary journey for most shuttlers in the singles department.

The heroics of Anmol Kharb and Ashmita Chaliha during India's historic win at the Badminton Asia Team Championships was perhaps the biggest highlight.

Paris debacle

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 28, 2024 من The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 28, 2024 من The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS THIRUVANANTHAPURAM مشاهدة الكل
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Shining with Poise and Passion

In its 30th edition, the Devi Awards was a gala show of power, talent and achievement, recognising and celebrating women from across the spectrum

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

The Talented Mr Palekar

The memoir turns the lens inward and reveals interesting facets of this star of the 70s cinema

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Holding Fort in the Happiest Country

Traditionally built on strategic locations, Bhutan's elaborate dzong architecture blends function, aesthetics, and cultural symbolism

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

The Cat is Out of the Bag in Indian Political Symbolanza

Political rhetoric is a weapon of innovative aggression. The bag wars between the Congress and BJP started when Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament with a 'Palestine' bag.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Unravelling the Geopolitical Game

Playing Out in Syria

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Washington plays supporting role in India's fightback

SCOTT Boland was running at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is his backyard. Every time he turns up there, the Victorian pacer has done something special. On Saturday, he was going up against Nitish K Reddy.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Arsenal Maintain Title Pursuit With Narrow Victory

DECLAN Rice is hoping 2025 brings silverware for Arsenal but knows they need some help to deny a rampant Liverpool the Premier League title.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Nitish K Reddy A STAR IS BORN

Youngster from Andhra cracks scintillating ton to stamp his arrival, rescues India in the process; Family support & vital lessons at domestic setup reasons behind his rise

time-read
4 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Rise of women sports in country, in crowd and in spirit

The rising popularity of women's sports in India is evident in the growing crowds at events and increased viewership on TV and OTT platforms. This surge is not limited to hockey; it's a broader trend reflecting a global revolution in women's sports.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Carlsen quits world chess event over jeans row

CHESS number one Magnus Carlsen has quit a World Championship event in New York after being fined and threatened with exclusion for breaching the dress code by wearing jeans.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024