CWG: India finish at second spot in medals tally

Indian athletes fought really hard to ensure that the country finish second at the final medals tally of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) here on Thursday.

Thursday was the last day of the event and it was also the last chance for the Indian athletes to win more gold medals and lift India to the second spot by removing England from that position. And they did.

It became possible in the afternoon when Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal defeated Malaysian opponent Mew Choo Wong by 19-21, 23-21, 21-13 margin to grab the crucial gold medal that once again made India climb up the medals tally and reach the second spot with 38 gold medals, one ahead of England who have 37 gold medals.

Earlier, shuttlers Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa beat the top seeded pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Lei Yao from Singapore by 21-16, 21-19 margin to clinch the badminton women?s double gold medal and help India tie with England who has 37 medals.

Poulomi Ghatak and Mouma Das, meanwhile, got bronze medal in women’s double table tennis.

But Indian men?s hockey team suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Australians by 8-0 margin and had to finish their run at the CWG with the silver medal.

India won 38 gold medals, 27 silver and 36 bonze medals to finish at the second spot at the medals tally with a total of 101 medals.

Australia topped the list with 74 gold, 55 silver, 48 bronze and a total of 177 medals.

England, Canada and South Africa finished third, fourth and fifth in the list.

The host nation performed really well on their home soil and hopefully they will continue this wonderful performance in the upcoming Olympics as well.