Young Samiya Farooqui topped India’s rousing performance in the Asia Badminton Junior Championships 2017 here on Sunday afternoon by winning the coveted gold medal in the U-15 Women’s Singles category.
Samiya Imad Farooqui hoisting the Indian flag along with her gold medal
The Hyderabadi lass overcame Widjaja Stephani of Indonesia 15-21; 21-17; 21-19 in a thrilling final to the delight of the packed Thu Wun Na National Indoor Stadium. India had already won three bronze medals to make it a true bounty for the Under-15 and Under-17 teams.
The third seeded Samiya started the first game on the back-foot, trailing for the most part to lose 15-21.
By the second game, however, she was at her attacking best and went ahead 11-8. But the mandatory break at that point affected her momentum and she conceded three points on the trot.
But that only brought out the best in her and she raced away to a 21-17 victory.
In the decider, the Indian took the upper hand again but slowly gave up the initiative to fall behind 7-11. The change of ends helped her once again as she won the next five points for a slender one-point lead.
At 17-17, it seemed like anybody’s game but it was the Indian who came out victorious. She slowed down the game and resorted to long rallies that unsettled her opponent. She regained the lead and converted it into her golden moment, beating Stephanie 20-19.
“I was nervous in the first game but regained confidence after some motivation from my coach and gave my opponent a tough fight,” the jubilant Samiya said after her hour-long match.
“It was a tough match and went down to the wire. But I held on to my nerves and won it. I am very proud to win a gold for my country,” she added.
After a never before haul of four medals, BAI General Secretary Anup Narang said, “We are proud of Coach Sanjay and the complete contingent for the performance they gave. They have created history in the tournament. We hope to see these players take it from here and go a notch higher in the future.”