Commonwealth Games down to one defending champ

Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa became the only remaining 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallists who will return to defend their titles in Glasgow this month.  According to a report in Reuters today, Saina Nehwal has joined Lee Chong Wei in skipping the Games due to injury.  Nehwal cited both foot blisters and a groin injury from the recent Australian Open as the reasons for her withdrawal from the Games, where she was to be the top seed.

Lee Chong Wei, who announced his withdrawal two weeks ago, was the last of Malaysia’s 2010 gold winners to be rendered missing in action, as Koo Kien Keat, Tan Boon Heong, and Chin Eei Hui have all either left BAM or failed to make the cut for Malaysia’s Glasgow contingent.  Malaysia still has returning members of the gold medal-winning mixed team, though none that were active in the final in 2010.