After a consistent and fantastic 2015 season, which saw her occupy the world number one spot for a brief period, India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has been nominated for the Woman Player of the Year Award of the Badminton World Federation. The Hyderabadi shuttler, currently ranked number two, will vie for the coveted honour along with world number one Carolina Marin of Spain, 2014 winner Zhao Yunlei of China and another Chinese Bao Yixin.
From being an aspiring shuttler trying to break into the big stage to becoming one of the most feared players in the world, Saina has come a long way. She is a revered icon, not only in India but across the globe. She first rose to prominence in 2006 after she won the Philippines Open, even though she entered the tournament as an unknown entity. She proved it again with a superb win at the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament (India chapter). This was her second satellite triumph in as many years and she never looked back thereafter.
She went on to win many tournaments, including the bronze medal the 2012 London Olympics. Saina, who was ranked 84th in the world during the Philippines Open in 2006, was crowned as the new World No 1 on March 28.
Apart from her London triumph, she went on to win the Denmark Open, her sixth premier title and was runners up at the French Open. Saina won four titles in2012 (Swiss Open, Thailand Open, Indonesia Open and Denmark Open) in addition to her Olympic Bronze. She later added another feather to her crown by winning the Australian Super Series title.
And with her maiden triumph at the India Open Superseries, she reached a new high. Thereafter, she went on to win many more titles and proved her mettle by breaking the 'Cinese Wall' time and again.
Saina’s appetite for success is great and as she always strives to conquer higher endeavours. Saina’s impressive run in the sport has not only earned her fans but also respect of sports-persons from various other disciplines. She surpassed the achievements of all sports-women in the country and yet she remains down to earth and her sole focus is on the game.
Let us discuss few of the qualities of Saina that has made her the ‘Badminton Queen’ of India.
Focus
Her ability to maintain her focus is what made her so successful. Saina stayed out of the game for two odds months after the London Olympics. But as soon as she stepped on to the court, she meant business. Later, when Saina lost form in later half of 2003 to 2004, she decided to part ways with her coach P Gopichand and decided to move to Bangalore to train with former India coach Vimal Kumar ahead of the Asian Games. And the result is before all to see.
Big match attitude
Saina has the ability to raise her game in big events. She announced her arrival at the international badminton arena back in 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne where she won the bronze medal. But world actually got to know about her real potential when she made it to the fourth round of her first Olympics held in Beijing. And after that, there was nothing that could stop her and she went on win many international tournaments, including 2008 Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold, 2008 BWF World Junior Championships 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2011 Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold, Denmark Open 2012, London Olympics 2012, India Open and World Badminton Championships amongst others.
Consistency
Saina has been very consistent in her career after she started her escalation. She had been in the top 10 for quite some time and the way she has maintained her rankings is praiseworthy. Saina is one of the few non-Chinese players to be so consistent in world badminton. Even in Olympics, it was three Chinese and Saina in the semis. She has lost on occasions to them, but then she is only player who has been able to decipher the Chinese code and pose a threat to them.
Fierce competitor
Anyone who knows her will know her approach towards the game. She is very headstrong and often does exert pressure on her in order to succeed. At times it does prove detrimental to her, but then ability to counter the pressure makes her so successful.
In the nation dominated by sport like cricket, Saina has carved out a niche for herself. She also went up to number two position on the World Rankings chart and poses threat to every shuttler she faces.{adselite}
Major wins:
2006 Philippines Open
2009 Indonesia Super Series
2010 Singapore Super Series
2010 Indonesia Super Series
2010 Hong Kong Super Series
Chinese Taipei Open
2010 India Open Grand Prix Gold
Swiss Open 2011
Swiss Open 2012
2012 Indonesia Super Series Premier
2012 London Olympics Bronze
2012 Denmark Super Series Premier
2014: Australian Super Series
2015: India Open Superseries
Awards and recognition: Khel Ratna (2010)
Indian Sports News Network
