CWG 2022: [Watch] Saurav Ghosal gets emotional as he celebrates historic singles bronze medal in squash
Veteran Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal broke the jinx of a singles medal in squash at the ongoing Commonwealth Games (CWG 2022) in Birmingham on Wednesday (August 3).
The 2018 mixed-doubles silver medalist defeated former World No. 1 and local favorite James Willstrop (3-0 11-6, 11-1, 11-4) to win India's first singles CWG medal in squash.
The 35-year-old, who is ranked 15 in the world, was calm and collected throughout the match and outclassed the Englishman in all aspects of the game, from court coverage to placement of his shots. He scripted history by winning the singles medal in his fourth CWG appearance.
Ghosal made a solid comeback in the bronze medal clash after suffering a defeat at the hands of World No. 2 Paul Coll of New Zealand, 11-9, 11-4, 11-1 in the men's singles semi-finals on August 2.
'๐๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐-๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฅ!'
An emotional @SauravGhosal speaks with Olympics.com moments after his historic bronze!๐ฅ
Watch more โคต๏ธ
#B2022 | #IndiaAtB2022 https://t.co/3J6Ijs2Var
Ghosal was in tears after defeating his arch nemesis and six-time World Championships medalist James Willstrop to win his second successive and first singles squash medal.
History Created! ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ณ
Saurav Ghosal won Indiaโs first ever singles medal in Squash at the Commonwealth games. And it meant a lot! ๐
#CWG2022 #B2022 https://t.co/ataaeMI7Y1
Impossible to not like Saurav Ghosal. twitter.com/vinayakkm/statโฆ
WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN ๐ฎ๐ณ's FIRST-EVER CWG MEDAL IN SINGLES SQUASH! ๐ฅ
SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS SAURAV GHOSAL! ๐
#CWG2022 #Birmingham2022 #B2022
#CommonwealthGames2022 https://t.co/jdWh9tvMdo
"I'm just so happy that after all these years, I've managed to pull through" - Saurav Ghosal
A teary Ghosal jumped into the crowd to greet his family. He even acknowledged Willstropโs influence in his life. Talking to the media after the historic feat, Ghosal said:
"I'm just so happy that after all these years, I've managed to pull through. Heโs (2018 CWG champion Willstrop) my best friend in life but to do it at this stage, winning Indiaโs first individual Commonwealth Games medalโฆโ
Ghosal will next be seen in action at the mixed doubles event, which will commence on August 4. He will be competing in the event with Dipika Pallikal.
Speaking about this, Ghosal said:
"Hopefully we can go all the way and win the gold for India."
Also read: Saurav Ghoshal & Dinesh Karthik are relatives, no wonder they are excellent at the age of 35 - Fans hail Indian squash player after winning first-ever singles medal at CWG 2022