Dipika, Joshana create history with gold; 4 silver for boxers

Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in squash but disappointment was in store for the four Indian boxers, including Olympic bronze winner Vijender Singh, who had to be content with a silver each in the 20th Commonwealth Games here today.

Dipika and Joshana stole the limelight with their historic feat as they beat Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro of England 11-6, 11-8 in the womens doubles squash final on the 10th day of competitions in this edition. It was the first squash medal for India in the Commonwealth Games.

Vijender Singh, Mandeep Jangra, Sarita Devi and Devendro Singh were the other star performers during the day with their silver-winning achievements in the boxing ring while A Arpinder Singh bagged a bronze in men's triple jump.

P Kashyap stood just a win away from a historic gold while P V Sindhu and RMV Gurusaidutt managed a bronze each in the badminton competition. Delhi Games gold medallist pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, too, were on course to defend the women's doubles title after winning their last-four match at the Emirates Arena.

Rajinder Rahelu and Sakina Khatun claimed a silver and a bronze each in men's heavyweight and women's lightweight powerlifting, respectively, as India made a last-ditch effort to boost their medals tally.

Vijender, a bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was comprehensively beaten 3-0 by England's Antony Fowler in men's middleweight 75kg bout at the SSE Hydro Arena.

With the four silver today, India has bagged five medals from boxing with Pinki Jangra having won a bronze after losing her semifinal bout against Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland in women's 51kg category yesterday.

In men's hockey, India came from two goals down to defeat New Zealand 3-2 in the semifinals to set up a summit showdown with holders Australia. Trailing 0-2 in the 18th minute, India sans regular skipper Sardar Singh were revived by strikes from Rupinder Singh Pal, Ramandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh, who ensured at least a silver medal.

Today's collection took India's overall tally to 61 with 14 gold, 28 silver and 19 bronze.

India maintained their fifth position in the medal standings with England topping the charts with a total collection of 161 medals followed by Australia (130), Canada (81) and Scotland (52).