Purva keeps Tri-colour flying

PANAJI: For once the national anthem was played on Republic Day at the Peddem Multipurpose Sports Complex. All credit goes to Purva Dixit who came up with a spectacular show to pip Ana Coelho of Portugal in the below-49kg women's category and secure India's lone gold in the taekwondo competition of the Lusofonia Games 2014.
The rest of the athletes, however, disappointed.Needing only a win to ensure bronze, six Indians - Aman Kumar, Sarvana Pandia, Anand P, Siraj Khan, Rekha Devi Pukhramba and Dextra Pereira -- settled for third place. Sneha Bhat advanced to the final only to settle for silver. She was blanked 0-6 by Portugal's Joana Cunha.
Aman looked steady in the first bout as he didn't let Nazare of East Timor score even once. After a 7-0 victory, he was appearing strong enough to at least move into the final. But his progress came to an abrupt halt when he was stunted out in the semifinals with an injured right leg while trailing 3-7. He was taken to the Goa Medical Hospital for treatment. "I have undergone an MRI and feel better now," said Aman during the medal ceremony.
Pandia, who received a walkover to semifinals, didn't have to win any bout to grab the bronze. He was thrashed 12-0 by Portugal's Mario Silva in his only bout of the day. The most surprising result came later on when Anand who pulled out of the event with chicken pox, was declared as bronze medal winner. "Anand weighed in and advanced to the main draw. So despite the withdrawal, he was eligible for a bronze," said Peter Fernandes, the competition manager. Portugal dominated with four gold and as many silver.