Commonwealth Games 2022: Unheralded Indian Women Strike Gold In Lawn Bowls

Birmingham: Hardly anyone in India had heard their names or followed lawn bowls till the other day. And now Lovely Choubey, Pinki, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Nayanmoni Saikia have earned a precious gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 to be the toast of the country.

The golden ladies – ranging from a cop, forest officer to sports officer — had already made history by conquering New Zealand in the semifinal and ensuring India’s first-ever lawn bowls medal. On Tuesday, they went one better, beating South Africa 17-10 in the final to top the competition.

India got off to a fine start and took a 6-2 lead. However, South Africa fought and not only levelled scores at 8-8 but nosed ahead 10-8.

But some brilliant rolling of the blue balls by Lovely & Co. helped India turn the contest their way again. In the end, they emerged convincing champions by a comprehensive 7-point margin to give India its fourth gold of the Games, besides 3 silver and 3 bronze medals as of now.

Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur was quick to laud the team for the ‘historic gold’.

“A Historic Gold for India in #CommonwealthGames Lawn Bowls! Absolutely ecstatic that our Women’s Fours Team – Lovely Choubey, Pinki , Nayanmoni Saikia & Rupa Rani Tirkey has fetched the nation its first ever #LawnBowls medal defeating South Africa 17-10 in the final!” Thakur tweeted.

Prime Narendra Modi also congratulated the team and hoped their success will motivate many Indians towards the sport.