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Zhang Ning of China has won the gold medal in the Badminton Women’s Singles at the 29th Olympic Games. She defended her title after conquering teammate Xie Xingfang in the final. As compared to Zhang, Xie Xingfang’s journey to the final was much easier. She came as the favorite in the final losing just one game out of four matches. On the contrary, the strength of World No. 7 Zhang had been in doubt from the beginning of the tournament. Even after Zhang reached the final, very few believed she could win on tired legs.
Nevertheless, Zhang was the first player to lead in the final. In the first game, Zhang answered Xie’s attack with exact crosscourt flights and hairpin shots. She led most of the game and won a comfortable 21-12. Xie made a rejuvenated comeback and took the second game 21-10. In the last game, Zhang sustained her precise shots and drops, and made Xie feeble. Zhang led the game and won the game with a final score of 21-18. Zhang, a 33-year-old Badminton veteran, is also the eldest Badminton Women’s Singles Olympic champion in history.
