India has been doing incredibly well across all sports. Well, stats don’t lie! The medal count has increased to a greater extent as athletes are chipping in with medals to make the country proud. Recently, Indian shuttler Sameer Verma bagged the gold by defeating China’s Lu Guangzu in the Syed Modi International World Tour Super 300 finals in Lucknow.
The defending champion got the better of the opponent in the men’s singles clash. Sameer might have lost the first set but he approached the game deftly and won the next two sets to secure the gold medal. Apart from him, India’s Saina Nehwal and pair Ashwini Ponnappa and Siikki Reddy also won a silver for India.
Sameer Verma feels that his dream came true as his recent success helped him to qualify for the prestigious BWF World Tour finals for the very first time. The finals is scheduled to take place in China next month. “a dream come true to qualify for the prestigious BWF World Tour finals for the first time,” Sameer said in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.
“When you look at the qualification part (the top eight players qualify), I am immensely pleased with my performance here,” said the 24-year-old Sameer.
“I grew in confidence with each round and I just went out to play my natural game in the final. I am glad I pulled things back after losing the first game,” said Sameer who outsmarted Lu Guangzu in the final.
“I can’t say which one of the three titles I won — the Swiss Open, Hyderabad Open and Syed Modi International — was better.
“But since this Lucknow title gives me the chance to play in the World Tour finals, it stands out as a special and memorable performance,” he said.
“I don’t think there is any need for a big change in my training schedule or game for the Tour finals. I feel I should just continue with the regular programme,” he said.
Sameer still has a long way to go. He is working hard to better himself and trying to be consistent. “I dedicate this win to the coaches at the Gopi Academy, the support staff and all my fellow players, family members and friends,” said Sameer.
