Olympic heartbreak and no net gain for badminton
The New Indian Express Sambalpur|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 recreational 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.

Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2024 de The New Indian Express Sambalpur.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2024 de The New Indian Express Sambalpur.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS SAMBALPURVer todo
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

The Talented Mr Palekar

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

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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 Sambalpur

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 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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

The 2024 Women's Asian Champions Trophy semifinal in Rajgir, Bihar, showcased a surge in women's sports popularity, exceeding expectations and highlighting a broader trend in India and globally.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 29, 2024
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

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
The New Indian Express Sambalpur

BFC post thrilling away win over Chennaiyin FC

RYAN Williams scored a brace as Bengaluru FC posted a thrilling 4-2 victory over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024