Tokyo Paralympics: Chu Man-kai takes badminton silver after thrilling final against India’s Nagar
- Chu led by five points in the opening game before the Indian launched a stirring fightback
- ‘Please support Hong Kong athletes,’ says Chu
Nagar, the Asian Para Games bronze medallist, hadn’t dropped a single game on his run to the final where he beat 30-year-old Chu 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 21-17).
Chu, the Asian Para Games gold medallist from Jakarta, will rue having led by five points in the opening game before the Indian launched a stirring fightback and claimed the gold.
“I was under a lot of pressure during the match,” Chu said. “After coming from behind and chasing my opponent’s lead, I had to adjust my attitude to continue to try to win each point at a time.”
A pulsating final was at times hindered by an overactive air conditioning system inside the Yoyogi National Stadium.
“I was affected but overall I did my best,” Chu said. “The air current affected the shuttle as you could see, especially at the baseline. The wind knocked the shuttlecock back onto court when it was looking like it was going out. Today the wind was more serious compared to my previous matches.”
Badminton is making its debut at the Paralympics and the two-time doubles world champion Chu said he was proud of his performance on Tokyo.
“I am so blessed to have this chance to stand onto this stage and reach this final. I want to thank my coach, my family, the Hong Kong Paralympic Association, and my friends. Thanks for their support in many different areas and helping me in this battle,” Chu said.
“Thank you to all the Hong Kong people for their support. No matter whether we got the medal or not, we have done it. I hope Hong Kong people can continue supporting us, both the elite athletes or Para athletes.
“You might have watched the game for half an hour, but we have been training for over 10 years and there has been a lot of sweat and guts that have gone into it. Please support Hong Kong athletes,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Chu’s teammate Daniel Chan Ho-yuen took bronze in the WH2 class with a 2-0 win against South Korea’s Kim Kyung Hoon.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor congratulated both Chu and Chan for their medal-winning performances.
“It is the first time that badminton has become an official sport at this Games. With the medals, Chu Man-kai and Chan Ho-yuen have made history in Hong Kong sports, making Hong Kong people proud,” Lam said in a statement.
Chu’s silver is Hong Kong’s second of the Games and makes the city’s final overall tally five medals, with three bronze medals also in the haul. It represents Hong Kong’s smallest return since the 1980 Games in the Netherlands when it returned with three medals.
Five years ago in Rio, Hong Kong claimed six medals: two gold, two silver and two bronze.
