Indian paddlers keep medal hopes alive
Indian paddlers kept themselves in medal reckoning by registering their second consecutive
victory in the team event at the 17th Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
While the men's team had no difficulty in brushing aside
the challenge of Jamaica by a 3-0 margin, their
women counterparts had to overcome some anxious moments before
quelling a spirited challenge from New Zealand with a
hard-fought 3-2 verdict.
The women paddlers, taking part in the Commonwealth Games
for the first time, now lead the points table with six
points and have a good chance of making it to the last four
stage.
Continuing their splendid run, the men's team, comprising
star performer Chetan Baboor, Soumyadeep Roy and S Raman, did
not really have to sweat as all of them recorded straight game victories.
Babboor launched the assualt in commanding fashion as he
spanked Christopher Marsh 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 to give India the
lead while Soumyadeep consolidated the position with a 11-8,
11-7, 11-7 demolition of Peter Moo Young.
The seasoned S Raman then clinched the issue with a 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 victory over Gavin Hylton.
The Indian eves, who had recorded an identical 3-2
victory in their opening match against Wales yesterday, had to
struggle a little bit before putting it across the Kiwis.
The Indians suffered a jolt when former national champion
Mouma Das lost the first match against Li Chunli, the New
Zealander winning 118, 11-3, 11-6.
Poulomi Ghatak, another former national champion, restored
parity, prevailing over Karen Li 12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 8-11,
11-6, while N R Indu put India into the lead, defeating Tracy McLauchlan 13-11, 11-9, 11-5
though she found her rhythm only towards the later stages of
the contest.
But Poulomi Ghatak could not maintain the same form in
her second match and went down to Li Chunli 3-11, 4-11, 2-11
to throw the tie wide open.
In the decider, Mouma Das kept her cool in the crucial
stages to prevail over Karen Li 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11,
11-6, much to the relief of her teammates.
