FOUR years ago it was silver. Yesterday it was ‘only’ bronze. But Kirsty Gilmour could still reflect on a job well done, not least because her 2018 Gold Coast medal included a measure of revenge against Michelle Li of Canada, the player who had ended her dreams to taking the title in Glasgow.
Going into this competition at the No 4 seed, the 24-year-old’s day had started by losing a heart-breaker of a semi-final by a 14-21, 21-18, 17-21 scoreline against Saina Nehwal of India. While Li was suffering a hip problem apparently severe enough to spark doubts as to whether she would even be able to play her semi-final, having to pick yourself up after such a tense, see-sawing encounter wasn’t exactly a picnic either. But Gilmour showed admirable mettle to seal a comprehensive 21-11, 21-16 win and prove that Glasgow was no flash in the pan.
The Scot, playing with perspiration and no little inspiration in front of a crowd at the Carrara Precinct which was dominated by Indians, admitted it had been difficult to lift herself after the setback. “It was difficult because, while I had a good game against Chloe Birch in the last 16 I didn’t have a quarter final after Ruthvika Gadde retired through injury.” she said “And my semifinal was so close and so hard. I have never been in the position before where I have had to stop and then go again in the same day.
“We weren’t even sure whether Michelle was going to play because of the injury she suffered during her semi- final and there was a lot going on in my head. I wish it [the win] was under better circumstances. But considering the final we played four years ago when she won was in two comfy sets, to be able to bang that on its head makes me so happy.”
Playing Premier League badminton with the Bengalaru Blasters in India at the turn of the year has moved Gilmour’s game up a level, and she had gone into this tournament feeling the pressure of knowing she was capable of matching the top Indian players on her day. “There is just overwhelming happiness and relief to be standing here,” she said. “Four years ago I was happy to be seeded two, I don’t remember analysing it as much as I did this time. Here, there was a lot of planning and preparation and stress because the top four seeds were capable of beating each other.”
There was generous praise too for coach Tat Meng for the work he has done in improving her game. “I am a different player now compared to two years ago and that is all down to him,” she said. “I have so much trust in him. That isn’t to say I don’t occasionally disagree with what he says, and push back on it. But we have so much respect for each other.”
Friday night’s golden girl Grace Reid, mind you, was having trouble living up to those exploits in the 3m springboard diving event, ostensibly her best event. There was no repeat of that lusty singing of Flower of Scotland as the 21-year-old, now a training partner of Tom Daley’s in London, finished ninth.
“Celebrations? There weren’t any. The celebrations were anti-doping and dinner. There was no lack of motivation, I was very much intent on going out there and diving the best I can – as I do in every event that I do. But there are days where that just isn’t going to happen. And perhaps last night did a play a role in that, and did have an impact. The four hours sleep, and the excitement, the adrenaline. I am exhausted but there are no excuses. Even I am probably my own worst critic so I am going to beat myself up a little bit. But hopefully in the next few days I am going to learn to enjoy it.”
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