Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal turned 32 today on March 17 and in an illustrious career for India, the badminton player has done the nation proud on many occasions. A name that popularized badminton in India and represented the country at the grandest forums, Nehwal has been instrumental in inspiring thousands of others to take up the sport. On his birthday, we take a look at Nehwal’s iconic career and his biggest achievements.
Nehwal has won 24 international titles so far, including 10 Superseries titles. Nehwal rose to the world’s second rank in 2009 and in 2015, Nehwal achieved the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles, becoming the only female badminton player from India and the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to achieve the feat.
Nehwal has represented India at the Olympics three times, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and becoming the first Indian shuttler to win a medal at the Olympics. Nehwal has made his mark everywhere, the shuttler has made his presence felt. Know here the biggest achievements of Nehwal’s career so far.
2010 Commonwealth Games – Gold Medal
In 2009, Nehwal was ranked second in the BWF women’s singles rankings and continuing her dominance, the shuttler became the first Indian woman to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi, 2010. Nehwal faced Malaysia’s Mew Choo Wong in the final and made a spectacular comeback in the fight, winning the gold and beating her opponent 19-21, 23-21, 21-13.
2014 China Open – Gold Medal
Nehwal performed exceptionally well at the 2014 China Open and entered the series after winning gold at the Australia Super Series and the Syed Modi International Grand Prix, Nehwal decided to enter the China Open and do his best. The Indian shuttler beat her rivals Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-12, 22-20 to win the gold medal in the final.
2015 BWF World Championships – Silver Medal
Continuing her dominance in world badminton, Nehwal created history by becoming the first Indian female shuttler to reach the finals of the BWF World Championships in 2015, winning a silver medal. Nehwal faced Spain’s Carolina Marin in the final of the global event, but it was the Spaniard who gave Nehwal a 21-16, 21-19 victory. Despite the defeat, it was a historic moment for India, as Nehwal set the benchmark for India.
2012 London Olympics – Bronze Medal
Saina Nehwal’s biggest achievement so far would be winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Nehwal created history and made the nation proud as the Indian shuttler defeated Yao Ji of Netherlands 21-15, 22-20 to enter the women’s singles quarterfinals. The then 22-year-old faced top seed Wang Yihan of China in the semi-finals, where she lost 13-21, 13-21 for the bronze. However, it was a proud moment for Nehwal and the country.
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