Badminton is an incredibly popular sport that is beloved by millions of people across the world. One of the most iconic badminton players of all time is Saina Nehwal, an Indian professional badminton player who has won multiple Olympic medals and championships. Many people around the world are curious about where Saina Nehwal learned to play badminton and what her journey to becoming a world-class badminton player was like. This article will explore the journey of Saina Nehwal and her badminton beginnings.
Saina Nehwal’s Early Years
Saina Nehwal was born in Hisar, Haryana, India on 17 March 1990. She began playing badminton at an early age, which was encouraged by her parents, Harvir Singh and Usha Rani. When she was eight years old, her father took her to a badminton court in their city and they began training together. Over the next few years, Saina Nehwal’s love and dedication to the sport only grew.
Training with S.M. Arif
When Saina Nehwal was eleven years old, she began training with S.M. Arif, a former badminton player and national coach. He trained her for two years, helping her to improve her game and understand the basics of badminton. He was a huge influence in the early stages of her career and helped to shape her into the player that she is today.
Joining the Badminton Academy
In 2003, Saina Nehwal joined the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, which was founded by former Indian badminton champion, Pullela Gopichand. This was a major step in her journey as a badminton player, as it gave her the opportunity to train with some of the best players in the country. She was also able to learn under Gopichand’s guidance, which was a huge advantage for her.
Early Success
Saina Nehwal quickly gained success in the badminton world. In 2006, she became the first Indian woman to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. This was a huge accomplishment for her and it gave her the confidence to continue pushing herself to achieve more.
International Success
In 2008, Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to win a bronze medal in badminton at the Olympic Games. This was a major milestone in her career and she continued to have success on the international stage. She also won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2018 and she has been ranked as the number one female badminton player in the world.
Conclusion
Saina Nehwal is an incredibly talented badminton player who has achieved great success in her career. Her journey to becoming a world-class badminton player began when she was just eight years old, when her father took her to a badminton court in their city and they began training together. She then trained with S.M. Arif, joined the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, and achieved early success before going on to win medals at the Olympic Games and become the world’s number one female badminton player.