Indian shuttlers finish second in C'wealth Youth Games

CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 (UNI):Indian shuttlers claimed silver medal after losing to Malaysia 2-3 in the keenly contested final of the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo (Australia), said the Indian coach Surinder Mahajan of Sports Authority of India.

In the men's singles Anand Pawar lost to Azrihanif Azahar 11-15, 7-15 in 43 minutes.

However, Sainna Nehwal made it one-all by defeating Lydia Cheah Li-Ya in just 20 minutes.

Malaysia again took the lead as their pair of Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thein How defeated Indian duo of Sagar Chopda and Jisnu Sanyal in straight games 15-2, 15-5 in 25 minutes.

Saina Nehwal and Aparna Balan, the Indian women's pair, restored parity by defeating Ng Hui Lin and Woon Khe Wei 15-13, 6-15, 15-10.

The doubles match lasted 50 minutes.

Malaysia clinched the issue by winning the last doubles tie through Hoon Thien How and Ng Hui Lin who prevailed over a fighting Indian doubles combination of Sagar Chopda and Aparna Balan 8-15, 17-14, 15-12.

Indian athletes won one gold, two silvers and one bronze medal.

Harishankar Roy cleared the bar placed at 2.13 metres height for gold in men's high jump event.

Revathi Krishnan (women's triple jump, 12.78m) and Arun Kumar Patel (men's javelin, 65.01m) won silver for India.

Ashok Tiwari bagged bronze in men's hammer with a throw of 66.03 metres.