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
Badminton is not a popular sport in India.
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.
I never believed that India could win a medal in badminton because the competition is so tough.
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.
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.
Badminton will gain momentum in a big manner after my win in Olympics. More players will participate in the game now.
I don't think I have the ability or patience to teach badminton to others.
Badminton is not as glamorous as cricket.
I love winning more than I love playing badminton. Winning is everything.
I enjoy three meals a day, and 90 per cent of what I eat is vegetarian and homemade. I occasionally eat non-vegetarian, and chicken preparations are my favourite.
My schedule is too overwhelmingly full to think about the future.
Men are domineering in rural Haryana, and that shows in sport, too.
When people say I have become a celebrity, I remind them of fame's flip side. For instance, if I want to watch a movie in a cinema, I have to enter through a side exit just before the film begins and leave by the same exit before the credits roll.
Yes, my mom does keep making references to marriage, like all mothers do, but it's only in a lighter mood... she just jokes.