4 Nations Championships - Welsh Leg - Done!

Sorry for the slightly late update about the 4 Nations Championships for Cardiff.

I had a week off from all training (well apart from a competitive session with my friends and colleagues from work on the Thursday!!), and so got a bit slack with everything. I swear the moment I stop, my body just shuts down from wanting to do absolutely anything!!

Anyways, going back to the tournament! As I mentioned previously, the Welsh Leg is where it's all started for me so I use it as a marker as to how far I've progressed. This time, I felt confident of retaining my title, and did so fairly comfortably. Although in truth, it probably wasn't my greatest performance in the Men's Singles. Not sure if it was complacency or if I just couldn't get out of first gear, but I still got the results. After winning the group ahead of David Crossman, I went on to play David in the Final on the Sunday which I took 21-10, 21-11. Credit where it's due as David certainly gave me a wake up call and having kept level with me for the early stages, a few mistakes cost him and allowed me to edge ahead and go on and take each game. Not great badminton by me, but still did enough to win comfortably.

The Mixed doubles however was a different story, and one I really relish taking part in. Partnering my Badminton "wife", Laura-Lee Jenkins from Northern Ireland, we made the final after a tough game against Rowan Crossman and Paula Robinson, who, in my opinion, were one of two pairings I expected to be in the final. However Laura-Lee and I had other ideas and some great badminton by her set me up to finish the point on a number of occasions. It took 3 games to get through but overall, a good performance from both of us and a reward of a final against Mixed Double favourites, Denny Vettom (England) and Morag Johnson (Scotland) was something to look forward to.

Our final was pretty close and unfortunately we missed out on Gold losing 18-21, 21-23. We were so close to taking it to 3 games but it wasn't to be. Personally, it was one of the best games I've played in. The match was played in good spirits (despite some dodgy line calls by the umpire for both pairs) and hopefuly kept the spectators on the edge of their seats!! I have to admit though, this was one of the Finals I was truly gutted to have lost.

I've lost Finals before, but this time, it did sting a bit!! Partly because it was a narrow defeat, but also because I and Laura-Lee played pretty well. Oh well.....next time!!!

All in all, another successful tournament for me, although as I said, my performances varied in each of the disciplines. Maybe it was a bit of rustiness from match practice, but it's just give me a little reminder that I need to be sharp or I'll get punished big time on the International scene.

Now I've had my week's rest, training in the gym resumed on Monday, followed by gym and Training with Kelly on tuesday morning!! So here we go again!! No rest for the wicked!!

posted on 22 September 2010 13:17 byGobi Ranganathan