C’WEALTH GAMES Final – Li ends 22 year wait for Canada

The all-English final ended with seed as the Adcock’s continued their rich vein of form. Meanwhile it was disappointment for home favourite Kirsty Gilmour, as Michelle Li ran away to take Canada’s first women’s singles gold.

By Michael Burke, Badzine Correspondent, live from Glasgow.  Photos: Yohan Nonotte for Badmintonphoto (live).

An all-English affair, the mixed doubles between Chris and Gabby Adcock (pictured left) and Chris Langridge and Heather Olver was in parts a turgid affair.

The top seeded England pair showed why they were the best in competition though, as they won in straight sets finishing without having dropped a game in the individual event.

“Obviously we’re over the moon to win this gold, there was a lot of pressure with the seed but we kept calm. This has been the toughest two weeks of my career mentally and physically.” Said Gabby.

“We stuck to the game plan, we really wanted to just enjoy it. We kept our discipline and played pretty much the perfect game.” Adcock said of the match.

The Adcocks had contrasting fortunes last night as Chris his men’s doubles and Gabby won the women’s. Neither showed any after effects of these performances though.

Part of it is separating one game and one day from the next.” Said Chris.

Gabby continued, “I was disappointed to lose the semi but glad for my partner that we got a bronze in her first Commonwealth experience.”

The atmosphere in the stadium went up as home favourite Kirsty Gilmour (pictured right) came on court, but nerves clearly got the better of her as Michelle Li (pictured left) dominated the early exchanges.

Li held out to take Canada’s first badminton gold medal since 1982 and crowned an incredible tournament where she has not lost in the singles and performed above expectations in the doubles.

“I’ve been training the same, but adding some of the mental component. I’m happy to have this opportunity for Canada.” Said Li. “This was one of the hardest matches of the tournament, because even though the score was far apart, it’s the gold medal match and I really had to keep my focus.”

“This will really give me confidence for the world championships, although the level will be tougher. But I’m definitely going to go for gold there.”

Kirsty will join her, but not until she’s submitted an essay for her course in mid-August.

“These are tears of joy. I’ve held it together; I was really on the edge. Michelle was just on fire today and I had no answer; I tried my best and sneaked a couple but my head was not matching up with my legs.”

Gilmour bowed out with grace, clearly happy to have been the first Scottish lady in the women’s singles final.

“The job is not quite done but I’m still happy with silver. I’m trying to be disappointed but everyone is just so positive.”

The full results for the day can be found here.