Badminton is one of the most popular sports in India. It is a game of skill and athleticism that requires great technique and strategic thinking. Every year, the country produces some of the best badminton players in the world, both men and women. Among the many great female badminton players in India, one stands out as the No. 1 badminton player in the country – Saina Nehwal.
Who is Saina Nehwal?
Saina Nehwal is a professional badminton player from India and the current world No. 10 in the BWF women’s singles rankings. She is the first Indian woman to be ranked number one in the world in 2015. She is also a two-time Olympic medallist, winning a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics and a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Saina Nehwal began playing badminton at the age of 8 in Haryana. As a junior player, she won several national and international titles including the Under-19 and Under-21 Indian National Badminton Championships. In 2006, she became the first Indian badminton player to win a 4-star tournament.
Achievements
Saina Nehwal has had a highly successful career in badminton. She has won several international and national titles, including the BWF World Championships (2015), the All England Open (2015), the Commonwealth Games (2010, 2018) and the World Junior Championships (2008). She has also won a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics, a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games.
In addition to her success on the court, she has also been recognised for her work off the court. She has been awarded the Padma Shri (2010), the Arjuna Award (2009) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2009).
Current Status
Saina Nehwal is currently ranked No. 10 in the world in the BWF women’s singles rankings. She is also the highest-ranked Indian women’s singles player in the world.
Saina Nehwal is still actively competing in badminton tournaments and is a strong contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She is also a mentor and coach to many junior badminton players in India.
Conclusion
Saina Nehwal is undoubtedly the No. 1 badminton player in India (female). She has achieved great success in the game and has been recognised for her achievements both on and off the court. She is currently ranked No. 10 in the world in the BWF women’s singles rankings and is still actively competing in tournaments. She is an inspiration to many young badminton players in India and is sure to continue to be a great ambassador for the sport in the years to come.