Saina Nehwal, a badminton icon from India, boasts an impressive career marked by numerous international victories and groundbreaking achievements. This post delves into her life, both on and off the court, exploring her remarkable journey from a young player to a global sporting star.
Biography/Wiki
Born on March 17, 1990, in Hisar, Haryana, India, Saina Nehwal’s family later relocated to Hyderabad. Affectionately nicknamed “Steffi Saina” by her mother, a Steffi Graf fan, Saina’s badminton journey began at the age of five, driven by her mother’s ambition for her to become a national-level player. Her dedication led to incredible success and recognition, culminating in prestigious awards such as the Arjuna Award (2009), Padma Shri (2010), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2010), and Padma Bhushan (2016).
Physical Appearance
Known for her athletic build, Saina stands at approximately 5’6″ and weighs around 65 kg. She possesses captivating brown eyes and striking black hair.
Family, Caste & Boyfriend
Saina hails from a middle-class Hindu Jat family. Her parents, Harvir Singh Nehwal (a scientist) and Usha Nehwal, were former badminton champions in Haryana. She has an elder sister, Abu Chandranshu Nehwal, a former volleyball player. On December 14, 2018, Saina married fellow badminton player Parupalli Kashyap in Hyderabad.
Career
Badminton
Saina’s education spanned several institutions: Campus School, CCS HAU, Hisar; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, Hyderabad; National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) School, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad; and St. Ann’s College for Women, Hyderabad. Under the tutelage of renowned coaches like S. M. Arif, Pullela Gopichand, Nani Prasad Rao, and Vimal Kumar, Saina’s skills flourished.
Her international debut in 2005 at the Asian Badminton Satellite tournament marked the beginning of a stellar career filled with numerous national and international titles. Despite facing injuries in 2016 and 2017, she made a strong comeback. Her achievements include medals from the Asian Games, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and Olympic tournaments.
Politics
Saina Nehwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on January 29, 2020, during the Delhi Assembly elections campaign. She cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an inspiration, stating her desire to contribute to the nation’s progress.
Controversy
In January 2022, a Twitter exchange with Tamil actor Siddharth regarding Prime Minister Modi’s security breach in Punjab sparked controversy. Following an apology from Siddharth, the matter subsided.
Records
Saina holds a remarkable list of firsts for Indian women’s badminton:
- First to win the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament twice (2006)
- First Indian woman and youngest Asian player to win a 4-star Philippines Open tournament (2006)
- First Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships (2008)
- First Indian woman to reach the Olympic Games quarterfinals (2008)
- First Indian to win a BWF Super Series title (2009)
- And many more significant achievements throughout her career.
Awards & Achievements
Saina’s trophy cabinet overflows with accolades. Here’s a glimpse:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Bronze Medal at Commonwealth Games (Melbourne), Philippines Open Tournament, Philippines Open Grand Prix |
| 2007 | Gold Medal at National Games (Guwahati) |
| 2008 | Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold, World Junior Badminton Championships (Pune), BWF Most Promising Player |
| 2009 | Indonesia Open, Arjuna Award |
| 2010 | Singapore Open Super Series, Yonex Sunrise Indian Open, Bronze Medal at Asian Badminton Championships (New Delhi), India Open Grand Prix, Silver & Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games (Delhi), Hong Kong Open Super Series, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Padma Shri Award |
| 2011 | Swiss Open |
| 2012 | Swiss Open, Indonesia Super Series, Bronze Medal at London Olympics, Denmark Open Super Series, Honorary doctorate from Mangalayatan University |
| 2014 | Bronze Medal at Asian Games, Australian Open Super Series, China Super Series Premier |
| 2015 | India Super Series, Silver Medal at World Championships (Jakarta) |
| 2016 | Australian Open Super Series, Padma Bhushan Award |
| 2017 | Malaysia Masters, Bronze Medal at World Championships (Glasgow) |
| 2018 | Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games (Women’s Singles & Mixed Team Event), Bronze Medal at Asian Badminton Championships |
Facts
Beyond her sporting prowess, Saina is a multifaceted individual:
- Holds a brown belt in Karate.
- Is a fan of Roger Federer and Sachin Tendulkar (who gifted her a BMW after her 2012 Olympic bronze medal).
- Is a philanthropist, ranked among the most charitable athletes.
- Serves on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes Commission.
- Has endorsed numerous brands.
- Published her autobiography, “Playing to Win: My Life On and Off Court” (2012).
- Loves to travel (Singapore is a favorite destination).
- Enjoys Kiwi and Aloo Paratha.
- Is a dog lover.
- Recently added a Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 to her car collection.
