This committed and utterly focused young woman has done the country proud time and again: Saina Nehwal has been India’s top and most consistent badminton player for a long time now; she is someone who continues to shine at international fixtures, bringing home laurels and a smidgen of respectability to a nation starved of sporting achievements. Here are some of Saina Nehwal’s top achievements:
She just won the Australian Open Super Series
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Nehwal defeated China’s Sun Yu 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 to claim the prize. According to her coach she played an attacking game to clinch the first title of the season. This is the second time she has claimed this title; having claimed it previously in 2014.
She has been World No. 1
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Nehwal had been ranked World No. 1 ranking in badminton in April 2015, and was the first Indian woman (and so far the only one) ever to become World No. 1.
She has received various awards
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Nehwal was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2009. She was given the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and was presented the Padma Shri in 2010.
She is an Olympic medal winner
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She is one of the few Indian sports persons who have done India proud at the Olympics individual events. She joined the likes of Leander Paes, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Abhinav Bindra and others when she won the bronze at the London Olympics in 2012.
She also does karate
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Single minded and utterly focused though she may well be about her chosen sport of badminton, she is also a karate brown belt.
Next stop Rio Olympics
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Nehwal is now eyeing the ultimate prize; that of the Olympic medal at the Rio Games later this year. The 26 year old shuttler will represent the country along with six other Indian badminton players. Her recent win at the Australian Open has likely strengthened her resolve to do so as well. Hopefully the injuries and occasional poor form that has dogged her steps in recent times will stay at bay too.
Author: Reena Daruwalla
