Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal; born 17 March 1990) is an Indian badminton player, former world no.1 in Women's Singles . She is the first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics. She achieved this feat by winning the Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics on 4 August 2012. She is also the first Indian after Prakash Padukone and the first Indian woman to become world number 1 badminton player. Besides these, she is the first Indian to win...
NationalityIndian
ProfessionBadminton Player
Date of Birth17 March 1990
CityHisar District, India
CountryIndia
Yes, my mom does keep making references to marriage, like all mothers do, but it's only in a lighter mood... she just jokes.
Badminton will gain momentum in a big manner after my win in Olympics. More players will participate in the game now.
Both my parents were amateur badminton players. My father is a scientist and wanted me to be a doctor. But my mom was very aggressive and loved badminton. She pushed me right from the age of nine to take up the sport.
I have always wanted an Olympic medal. I always wanted to see India's national flag going up at the podium.
Unlike most youngsters who have school as their 'second home' where they meet and make friends, for me playtime has been at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad. When I am not playing a tournament, my days are spent at the Academy with my coaches, physiotherapists and colleagues, who are like family. We laugh and have so much fun.
When I was a kid, my parents would play badminton, but I hardly joined them. I'd just pick up their racquets and fiddle around. Check out how the racquet was made... toss it around to see how light it was! At the time, I didn't even know I'd play badminton.
I never believed that India could win a medal in badminton because the competition is so tough.
Any girl who likes watching movies would like to work in them and would want to do all of that. I'm also one of them. But people know me for badminton and love me for it. So I'd stick to it right now. But maybe after badminton, I'll think about it.
Badminton is not a popular sport in India.
My dream is to see India as a nation of well-looked-after and respected sportspeople in all fields.
All sports should get support from the government and corporate bodies.
How well you eat and rest helps you analyse your energy reserves.
I am a human being. When you are frustrated, you do cry. It's more than once that I cried.
I do not fear anybody on the field or in society, but I fear at night when I am away from my parents. I am scared of the unknown described in horror movies.