India well placed to win 5 badminton golds, says Aparna Popat

Mumbai: Former badminton star Aparna Popat, who won four medals in three Commonwealth Games appearances, on Thursday said India were clear favourites to win multiple golds in the sport at Gold Coast.

“Indian badminton has come a long way since my first appearance in the 1998 CWG (in Kuala Lumpur). We were underdogs then and now we are definitely the favourites in not just singles with Saina (Nehwal), (P.V.) Sindhu, (Kidambi) Srikanth, (H.S.) Prannoy doing well but across all events. 

“We have champions in women’s doubles, in men’s doubles and mixed doubles. Mixed doubles has been really showing good promise, so not only we are going to come back with individual medals but also have shot at the gold in team event,” the 40-year-old said.

Aparna, ace shooter Anjali Bhagwat and Viren Rasquinha sent best wishes and support to the 2018 Commonwealth Games contingent with the #RangDeTiranga initiative by Sony Pictures Networks in collaboration with the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai.

‘Expect 80 per cent medals in shooting’ 

Former world no. 1 shooter (in 10m air rifle), Anjali Bhagwat said shooters were doing well and “we can hope around eighty per cent of the medals from them”.

“Heena Sidhu is doing well and has experience, we have junior shooters who have done exceptionally well and hold world records. 

“Let medals be a bonus as it depends on the particular day but we are definitely expecting eighty percent medals in shooting,” she said.