India finished fourth in the men’s table tennis team event of the 20th Commonwealth Games at the Scotstoun sports centre, losing its bronze medal match against Nigeria 3-0 on Monday.
The Indians who were beaten 3-1 by England in the semifinals late on Sunday were again unable to get their act together even though Achanta Sharath Kamal provided the side with a straight three-set win over Segun Toriola in the opening singles at 11-9, 11-5, 11-7.
Thereafter it was agony for the Indian camp as the Nigerians came up with a sterling display. Aruna Quadri levelled at 1-1 with a 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 over Harmeet Rajul Desai before Toriola and Ojo Onaolapo defeated Desai and Anthony Amalaraj 3-11, 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9.
Sharath Kamal was unable to come to the rescue as he lost in the crucial reverse singles to Onaolapo rather tamely at 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5.
India had mixed luck in the boxing competitions at the SECC hall. While L. Devendro came through brilliantly against Sri Lankan Madhushan Gamge in the men’s 49kg pre-quarterfinals, Indian hopes in the 56kg class were squashed when Shiva Thapa bowed out to the heavy-hitting Michael Conlan (Northern Ireland).
Devendro led his bout right through as he kept punishing his Sri Lankan rival.
The surprise here was the tame manner in which Shiv Thapa boxed. Conlan showed little mercy to his Indian rival through all three rounds and Thapa received a public warning in the final round.
In the 75kg category, Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Vijender Singh made it to quarterfinals as he defeated Mujanddjae Kasuto (Namibia). The Indian won by unanimous decision on points.
Sandeep Sejwal failed in making his second straight Games final as he missed the cut in the 50m breaststroke of the swimming competitions quite narrowly at the Tollcross swimming pool late on Sunday night.
On Sunday night, he seemed to be on course as he finished fourth in the first heats with a time of 28.12s, but turned out to be unlucky as he was ranked ninth overall after the second semifinal.
