Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has earned India its third medal at the London Games.She clinched a bronze
under fortuitous circumstances as her opponent and world number two Xin Wang of China conceded the third-place play off match due to a knee injury after winning the first game.
The fourth seeded Indian had saved four game points in a dramatic fightback and was 18-20 when left-handed Xin twisted her knee while going for an acrobatic smash from the baseline. She took on-court treatment for the injury.
However, Xin was back on the court after wrapping her left knee in bandage and immediately attacked Saina's serve to win the point and the game to be 1-0 up.
But after winning the first point in the second game, Xin could not continue and was wincing in pain. She then shook
hands with Saina to concede the match and the bronze medal to the 22-year-old Indian ace.
Saina has thus become the first Indian badminton player to win a medal at the Olympic Games. She had reached the
quarterfinals in Beijing Games four years ago and lost at that stage.
This was the second day running that India have won a medal, following pistol shooter Vijay Kumar's silver medal yesterday.
India now have a total three medals in the London Games.That includes One Silver and Two Bronze.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has congratulated Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal for winning a bronze medal in the women's singles badminton at the London Olympics.
Dr. Manmohan Singh said in his congratulatory message that the country is proud of her achievement.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also extended her wishesto the 22-year-old from Hyderabad and said that she has madethe state and the country proud.
Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar in her congratulatory message said, “Congratulation for winning the bronze medal.
You have made India proud.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Many congratulations to Saina Nehwal for winning a bronze in London Olympics! India is proud of her.”
Saina became the first Indian badminton player to win a medal at the Olympic Games. She had reached the quarterfinals in Beijing Games four years ago and lost in the semifinals yesterday to gain a chance to play for the bronze today at the Wembley Arena.
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced a cash award of One crore rupees to ace shuttler Saina Nehwal after she won a bronze medal at the London Olympics.
Hooda congratulated Nehwal for winning the medal and said that she had made the state and the country proud.
Hooda said that Nehwal's rare feat will inspire the budding talents.
Earlier, shooter Gagan Narang, whose ancestors hail from Panipat, brought laurels to the state by winning a
bronze. A cash award of One crore was announced for him as well by the state government.
