Topic Of The Day:-“In another court”
Srikanth brought joy in two equal helpings. The 24-year-old won back-to-back badminton titles in the space of eight days, on Sunday adding the Australian Open title to the higher-rated Indonesia Open he had clinched on June 18. Success is not new to Srikanth, and in Sydney his domination of an elite field could be gauged from the fact that he dropped just one game in five matches. Even more heartening, he is part of a cohort in Indian men’s badminton, with the likes of B. Sai Praneeth and H.S. Prannoy, who have been beating elite players this season. For instance, Srikanth has upstaged the current World No. 1, Korea’s Son Wan Ho, twice in two weeks and raced past the reigning World and Olympic champion, Chen Long, in Sunday’s final at Sydney. He will be back in the world’s top 10 ranking this week, having also beaten World No. 4 and the topmost Chinese, Shi Yuqi, twice this year. In fact, Srikanth, who had overcome a bout of brain fever in July 2014 to become World No. 3 a year later, has beaten all the leading Chinese players. Praneeth, winner of the Singapore Open and the Thailand Open, is finally realising his potential. Interestingly, Praneeth holds a 5-2 head-to-head record against Srikanth, and the latter’s dream run is bound to increase his confidence of also beating the best in the world. Prannoy, unbeaten in this year’s Premier Badminton League and conqueror of the legendary Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long in successive matches in the Indonesia Open this month, will also expect to strike it rich going ahead. In sum, Srikanth, Praneeth and Prannoy are on track for a potential podium finish in the World Championship in Glasgow in August. With Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu maintaining their formidable challenge in the women’s game, Indian badminton now has a strong nucleusof the world’s best. The biggest gain of late has been the consistency with which the male shuttlers are delivering, with each believing he has the game to outdo the other. This healthy competitiveness, coupled with the maturity and patience shown on the court of late, is paying dividends. Srikanth has wisely refrained from being in attack mode at will. Known for his powerful smashes, his current use of soft strokes and deft touches is proving very effective, complementing the deep clearances from the backhand corner. Pullela Gopi Chand’s role in the success of these players is well-known; Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo too has clearly made an impact, especially in rallying the players to think clearly in the heat of a match. As a result, Indian shuttlers are no longer ‘choking’ against more illustrious rivals. Significantly, all the leading overseas players today have lost to an Indian at least once. On current form, at least a medal each from the men’s and women’s singles in this year’s World Championship is now a realistic expectation.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Clinched
Meaning: To finally get or win something.
Example: I hear he finally clinched the deal to buy the land he wanted.
Synonyms: Secure, Settle, Conclude
Antonyms: Lose
2) Elite
Meaning: The richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society.
Example: The silent majority were looked down upon by the liberal elite.
Synonyms: Best, Aristocracy
Antonyms: Dregs
3) Gauged
Meaning: A way of judging or showing something, especially how successful or popular something is.
Example: The fact that the play is being performed on Broadway is a gauge of its success.
Synonyms: Assess, Evaluate, Appraise
4) Cohort
Meaning: A group of people who support a particular person, usually a leader.
Example: The Mayor and his cohorts have abused their positions of power.
Synonyms: Group, Grade
5) Reigning
Meaning: Being the most recent winner of a competition.
Example: She’s the reigning champion at Wimbledon.
Synonyms: Incumbent, Current
6) Conqueror
Meaning: A person who conquers a place or people; a vanquisher.
Example: A chance for revenge against his Olympic conqueror.
Synonyms: Vanquisher, Defeater, Subjugator
Antonyms: Loser
7) Podium
Meaning: A raised area on which a person stands to speak to a large number of people, to conduct music, or to receive a prize in a sports competition.
Example: Tears ran down her face as she stood on the winner’s podium.
Synonyms: Platform, Stage, Dais
8) Formidable
Meaning: Causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult.
Example: She is a formidable figure who commands a great deal of respect .
Synonyms: Intimidating, Forbidding, Redoubtable
Antonyms: Comforting, Weak
9) Nucleus
Meaning: The group of people or things that are the most important part of something.
Example: These three players will form the nucleus of a revised and stronger team.
Synonyms:Small group, Core
10) Smashes
Meaning: In tennis or volleyball, to hit the ball down towards the ground quickly and forcefully.
Example: In tennis, there is the forehand, the backhand, the overhead smash and the drop volley, all with a different grip.
Synonyms:Crowd-puller, Knockout
11) Deft
Meaning: Skilful, clever, or quick.
Example: Her movements were deft and quick.
Synonyms: Skillful, Nifty
Antonyms: Clumsy, Awkward
12) Rallying
Meaning: A continuous exchange of hits between players in tennis, squash or badminton.
Example: There will be fierce competition among the top seeds over two tough days of rallying to decide the outcome of this most prestigious of motorsport events.
Synonyms:Gather, Improve
Antonyms: Deteriorate, Disband
