No matter how much we fight in the name of God and religion, spew racist remarks on each other, and indulge in violence protesting against the Centre, when it comes to rooting for those representing India, we come together like loyal countrymen, haina?
This time around, desi Twitter united to cheer and laud four women who wrote history by winning the first-ever Gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 for Lawn Bowls.
The four women who won the country’s first-ever medal in this core sport are Lovely Choubey, Rupa Rani Tirkey, Pinki, and Nayanmoni Saikia who are aged 33-42. The women’s four achieved the feat by beating South Africa by 17-10 in the finals.
I know, you must be thinking ‘Lawn Bowls’, ye konsa game hai? Well, Twitter wasn’t also aware of this game of which India became a part in 2010, the year when India hosted the multi-sport event.
However, they still celebrated the win of the Indian team with much enthusiasm and pomp.
Historic win in Birmingham! India is proud of Lovely Choubey, Pinki Singh, Nayanmoni Saikia and Rupa Rani Tirkey for bringing home the prestigious Gold in Lawn Bowls. The team has demonstrated great dexterity and their success will motivate many Indians towards Lawn Bowls. pic.twitter.com/RvuoGqpQET
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2022
Guts…..Glory……Gold!
Heartiest Congratulations to Indian Women's Fours team for clinching the historic #GoldMedal in #LawnBowls at #CWG2022
A Billion Salute & Blessings for Our Extraordinary Nari Shakti!#Cheer4India#India4CWG2022#CWG2022India #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/iAalVvj3X6
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 2, 2022
These Lawn Bowls ladies have bowled India over! Historic Gold ??? Congratulations and well done ???? #LawnBowls #CWG2022 pic.twitter.com/99UPs6PbSv
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 2, 2022
Congratulations to the Indian #LawnBowls team for this historic CWG gold Medal. It was India’s maiden final appearance in the women's fours format of the competition. The girls scripted history by defying all odds with their team work & skill to achieve this monumental victory. pic.twitter.com/SPEtdGQEsi
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 2, 2022
That will go down as the moment of the day!
Congratulate India’s Women #LawnBowls team on creating history. A maiden gold?for India at the CWG in Lawn Bowls event, this effort by the Indian quartet will encourage more people towards this sport. #B2022 pic.twitter.com/GFAivo8fpk
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 2, 2022
Congratulate the Indian #LawnBowls team on their historic win!
Our Women's team of Lovely Choubey,Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia & Rupa Rani Tirkey defeated the South African side and won India’s first ever #LawnBowls medal – a Gold in #CommonwealthGames!
A proud moment for India! pic.twitter.com/eAnoxSFklh
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) August 2, 2022
My mother has a new favourite team- The #LawnBowls Indian women’s team. Absolute legends. ? #CommonwealthGames
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) August 2, 2022
Cannot believe I spent around 3 hours watching India's #LawnBowls final at #CWG2022 with no knowledge of the sport….and the ladies have done it … Historic!! ? #RuknaNahiHaiCheer #CommonwealthGames
— Rohini Deshmukh (@rohini_kd) August 2, 2022
From not knowing what this game is all about (Lawn Bowls) to getting a gold medal in this sport. India has truly made a fabulous leap in the sporting world. #GoldMedal #LawnBowls #Cheer4India #CommonwealthGames
— Ujjwal Jain (@Ujjwal529) August 2, 2022
#CWG2022
Indian women team won #GoldMedal in #LawnBowlMe who don't have any idea about Lawn bowl pic.twitter.com/61jXxzSd3C
— Shruti (@kadak_chai_) August 2, 2022
Watch these women create history:
Historic Win in a sport which no one even expected.. Incredible!! #LawnBowls #CommonwealthGames2022 #GoldMedal ? pic.twitter.com/6wm2wAWtsz
— ʜɒɿƨʜɒl ⚡╭∩╮（︶︿︶）╭∩╮ (@HarshalLive) August 2, 2022
Celebrations are on at Nayanmoni Saikia’s native village in Assam.
Celebrations at Nayanmoni Saikia's native village in Assam, who made history by winning the first-ever medal in #LawnBowls (Women's Fours) in #CWG2022. @Media_SAI#CommonwealthGames2022 #Cheer4India#India4CWG2022 pic.twitter.com/S5qw8ACWW6
— DD News (@DDNewslive) August 2, 2022
It’s indeed an emotional moment for them.
Four unknown middle-aged women made the final of a little-known sports at it highest stage.
That’s the power of sports to turn-around lives❤️#LawnBowls l #CommonwealthGames
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) August 2, 2022
For the uninitiated, Lawn bowls is a core sport in Commonwealth Games and have been a part of the Games since 1930. Also known as Bowls, the outdoor sport is played using multiple balls of varied sizes on a bowling green.
While playing the sport, the player’s objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a jack or kitty. The lawn bowl is called a ‘biased ball’ as it is heavier on one side (weighing around 1.5 kgs) which allows the player to curl it. The team that amasses maximum points in total over 21 ends wins the game.
A gold for India in a sport unknown to many. Congratulations, team India!