Gopichand's win good,
says Padukone

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

Prakash Padukone, the winner of the All-England Championship two decades ago, has termed P Gopichand's sensational win in the semi-finals of the ongoing championship in Birmingham as a good victory.

"Gopichand is now a step away from the trophy. He has a good chance of playing well in the finals and winning the All-England championship," Padukone told rediff.com on Saturday.

Commenting on the second successive victory of Gopichand in a row, when he defeated Denmark's Peter Gade 17-14, 17-15 on Friday night, Padukone said, "Gopi needs to just continue his concentration and play as he did in the semis and the quarter finals. As he is well prepared, he should play a natural game. He is peaking at the right moment."

On whether he had seen in Gopichand a champion in the making when he had coached him at his BPL Padukone Badminton Association in Bangalore over the years, Padukone said he had the potential that was coming into play now. "He has all the talent and energy to emerge successfully in the finals. I wish him all the best of luck".

Though Padukone could not see the quarter-finals as it was not telecast live in India, he managed to view the semi-finals on Friday night when it was beamed by a international sport channel.

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