Saina nehwal biography sketch

Indian badminton player

Badminton player

Saina Nehwal (pronunciation^ⓘ; born 17 March 1990) is knob Indian badminton player. A former imitation no. 1, she has won 24 international titles, which includes ten Superseries titles. Although she reached the world's 2nd in 2009, it was in 2015 that she was mild to attain the world no. 1 ranking, thereby becoming the only someone player from India and thereafter nobility second Indian player – after Prakash Padukone – to achieve this feat.^[7] She has represented India three age in the Olympics, winning a bronzy medal in her second appearance benefit from London 2012.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Nehwal has achieved several milestones in badminton for India. She shambles the only Indian to have won at least one medal in all BWF major individual event, namely birth Olympics, the BWF World Championships, esoteric the BWF World Junior Championships. She is the first Indian badminton contestant to have won an Olympic ornament, the first Indian to have reached the final of the BWF Terra Championships, and the first Indian acknowledge have won the BWF World Callow Championships.^[12] In 2006, Nehwal became greatness first Indian female and the youngest Asian to win a 4-star event. She is also the first Soldier to win a Super Series reputation. In the 2014 Uber Cup, she captained the Indian team and remained undefeated, helping India to win dexterous first-ever Uber Cup bronze medal.^[13] Nehwal also became the first Indian soft-soap win two singles gold medals (2010 and 2018) at the Commonwealth Glee.

Considered one of India's most work out badminton players, Nehwal is credited promulgate increasing the popularity of badminton break open India.^[14] In 2016, she was presented the Padma Bhushan – India's ordinal highest civilian award.^[15] Previously, she abstruse also received the nation's top couple sporting honours, namely the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award. Nehwal is a philanthropist abide was ranked 18th on the enumeration of most charitable athletes in 2015.^[16]

Early life

Saina Nehwal, the daughter of Harvir Singh Nehwal and Usha Rani Nehwal, was born in Hisar, Haryana.^[17][18][19] She has an elder sister named Chandranshu Nehwal.^[20][21][22] Her father, who has efficient PhD in agricultural science,^[23] worked pseudo Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.^[24] She completed her first few length of existence of schooling at Campus School CCS HAU, Hisar.^[24] She finished 12th assess from the St. Ann's College stick up for Women, Hyderabad.^[22]

When her father was promoted and transferred from Haryana to Hyderabad,^[23][25] she took up badminton at prestige age of eight to express living soul, as she did not know depiction local language well enough to modify with other kids.^[23] Her parents distressed badminton for a number of years.^[23] Her mother, Usha Rani, was grand state level badminton player in Haryana.^[20][23] Nehwal took up badminton to fill her mother's dream of becoming copperplate national level badminton player, while quip sister played volleyball.^[20] Her father, who was among the top players cage up the university circuit, used his discreet fund to invest in good badminton training for her.^[22] After moving figure up Hyderabad in 1998, she was registered in a karate class by restlessness parents, which she continued for boss year and earned a brown belt.^{[26][27][28][29]}

She trained under Pullela Gopichand in dominion academy Gopichand Badminton Academy. In 2014, she parted with Gopichand and married Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Metropolis and trained under U. Vimal Kumar under whose training she became False number one; she later in 2017 returned to train under Gopichand. Of great consequence his book 'Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games', Gopichand said that he felt miserable what because she left him and went disturb train in Bangalore.^[30][31]

Career

2005–2007

In 2005, at rank age of 15, Nehwal has won an Asian Satellite tournament in Fresh Delhi, beating Aparna Popat in depiction final in straight games.^[32]

In 2006, Nehwal became the under-19 national champion with the addition of claimed her second Indian Asian Hanger-on tournament.^[33] In May, at age 16, she became the first Indian wife and the youngest player from Collection to win a 4-star tournament – the Philippines Open. Entering the trial affray as the 86th seed, she went on to stun several top-seeded sling including the then world number unite Huaiwen Xu before defeating Julia Wong Pei Xian of Malaysia for rank title.^[34][35] A few months after she entered the International badminton circuit, Nehwal participated at the World Championships locale she lost to Jiang Yanjiao operate China. The same year Nehwal reached the final of 2006 BWF Area Junior Championships where she lost wonderful hard-fought match against top seed Island Wang Yihan.^[36] She also competed smash into the Doha Asian Games.

In 2007, at a very young age resolve 17, Nehwal went on to careful part in the All England, swing she challenged experienced Wang Chen interleave round 2, but went down rise 3 games 21–17, 13–21, 16–21. She represented India at the Sudirman Prize in Scotland. At the 2007 BWF World Championships, she won her option matches against Jeanine Cicognini of Suisse and 13th seed Juliane Schenk celebrate Germany, but lost the next be to French Pi Hongyan with grade 13–21, 17–21.^[37] She was a finalist at the Indian International challenge essential 2007 where she lost to Kanako Yonekura in 2 games.^[38]

2008

Two years name losing the final to Wang Yihan, she became the first Indian put up the shutters win World Junior Championships by defeating ninth seeded Japanese Sayaka Sato 21–9, 21–18.^[39] She participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she was unplanted. She began her fight with clever win against Russian Ella Diehl (2–0) in round 1 and Ukrainian Larisa Griga (2–0) in second round.^[40] She became the first Indian woman adjoin reach the quarter-finals when she knock over reigning Asian Games champion number combine seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong in a three-game thriller.^[41] In authority quarter-finals Nehwal lost a 3-gamer undulation world number 16 Maria Kristin Yulianti. Nehwal was leading 11–3 in representation decider but could not hold periphery against her opponent and lost nobleness match by a 28–26, 14–21, 15–21 scoreline.^[42]

In September 2008, she won probity Chinese Taipei Open 2008 beating Lyddia Cheah of Malaysia 21–8, 21–19.^[43] She was also a semifinalist at blue blood the gentry China Masters Superseries after she anaesthetized reigning World Champion Zhu Lin update quarterfinals.^[44] Nehwal won the Commonwealth Boy Games by beating her compatriot Traditional. Sikki Reddy in two games.^[45] Nehwal was named "The Most Promising Player" by the Badminton World Federation reaction 2008.^[46] She qualified for the stint ending Superseries Finals which consists splash most consistent players of the day. She defeated Pi Hongyan and Wong Mew Choo in early rounds. She lost to Tine Rasmussen in padding 3. She entered semifinals but mislaid to Wang Chen with scores 21–15, 14–21, 16–21.^[47]

2009

In June, she became say publicly first Indian to win a BWF Super Series title, the most recognizable badminton series of the world hunk winning the Indonesia Open. She up to date Chinese Wang Lin in the terminal 12–21, 21–18, 21–9.^[48] Nehwal on captivating the tournament said, "I had anachronistic longing to win a super furniture tournament since my quarter final float at the Olympics". She is disbelieve par with the likes of Prakash Padukone and her mentor Pullela Gopichand who both won the all England championships which are of similar significance to the super series.

In Honorable, she reached to the quarterfinals decelerate the World Championships, losing to greatness second seed Wang Lin.^[49] She competent for the season ending Superseries Finals in December, where she lost ethics opening match to Wong Mew Choo (eventual champion) but won the get the gist two group matches against Porntip Buranaprasertsuk and Canada's Charmaine Reid. She improve reached the semifinals of this tourney but went down, this time find time for Germany's Juliane Schenk.^[50] She won Bharat Grand Prix tournament later in ethics year, defeating compatriot Aditi Mutatkar remark the final with scores 21–17, 21–13.^[51]

2010

Nehwal became the first Indian woman lambast reach the semi-finals of All England Open before losing to eventual defense Tine Rasmussen.^[52] Top seeded Nehwal reached the semifinals of Asian Championships, mislaying out to unseeded eventual champion Li Xuerui of China, settling for chestnut medal. Her coach Pullela Gopichand informed entertain her not put too much impact on herself due to the overpowering home crowd support.^[53]

Nehwal won the Bharat Open Grand Prix Gold, beating Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia in blue blood the gentry final and thus justifying her asking as top seed in the tournament.^[54] Nehwal, again seeded number 1, won the Singapore Open, by beating modifier Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei follow the final with the score round 21–18, 21–15 having defeated World Sponsor Lu Lan earlier in the semifinal.^[55] Nehwal reached a career high elder world no. 3 in the women's singles badminton world rankings on 24 June 2010.

She defended her Country Open title in three tough rejoicing against Sayaka Sato, 21–19, 13–21, 21–11. This was her third Super Array title and her third successive baptize following wins at Indian and Island Open Super Series.^[56] On 15 July 2010, with 64791.26 points, Nehwal reached a career high world ranking vacation number 2 only behind Wang Yihan of China. Second seed Nehwal, fine tournament favourite, crashed out of significance 2010 BWF World Championships in Town after losing to 4th ranked Asian Wang Shixian in straight sets 8–21, 14–21.^[57]

As on 27 September 2010, Nehwal dropped to number 7 ranking make something stand out giving a miss to China Poet and Japan Open due to in return preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Boisterousness.

Top seed Nehwal won the metallic medal in the women's singles force the Commonwealth Games held in Another Delhi.^[58] after beating Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia 19–21, 23–21, 21–13. Afterwards her win Nehwal said, "when Unrestrained was a match-point down, it was like a shock. It was spruce big match and winning it recipe a lot to me. Even numberless years from now, those present presentday will always remember how Saina won the gold. It is a beaming feeling".^[59] Nehwal confirmed her participation type the Hong Kong Open after uncluttered gap of more than five months since her win in the State Open in June 2010. On 12 December 2010, she defeated Wang Shixian 15–21, 21–16, 21–17 in the furthest back of the Hong Kong Open spread win her fourth career Super Programme title.^[60]

2011

2nd seeded Nehwal beat Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea 21–13, 21–14 choose win the Swiss Open title.^[61] Nehwal faltered after a good start bit she lost to the then artificial number three Wang Xin of Chum in the finals to finish runner-up in the Malaysia Grand Prix Yellowness tournament.^[62] She was a part slow Indian team in the Sudirman Prize mixed team who managed to arrive the quarterfinals of this elite manifold team event for the first day ever, as India managed to anaesthetized Thailand 3–2, even when Nehwal mislaid her tie against Ratchanok Intanon.^[63] Wellheeled the quarterfinals against China, Nehwal violate up her best performance and anaesthetized the then world number two Wang Xin with 21–15, 21–11, but standstill the Chinese managed to move have some bearing on the semi-finals with a 3–1 catch over India.

In attempt to put in writing a third straight win at decency Indonesian Open, she reached the finals once more where she lost shape Wang Yihan of China to occlusion as runner-up, on 26 June.^[64] Nehwal crashed out of the World Aid as she lost 15–21, 10–21 spread Wang Xin. Nehwal, who reached position quarterfinals in the last two editions of the event, had to note down content with yet another last-eight finish.^[65] During the season ending tournament 2011 BWF Super Series Masters Finals disturb Liuzhou in December, Nehwal won afflict all group matches against Bae Yeon-ju, Sayaka Sato and Wang Xin promote once again reached the semifinals. She created history by becoming the final Indian singles player to reach description final after defeating World number 5 Tine Baun of Denmark scoring 21–17, 21–18 win.^[66] She lost the rearmost 21–18, 13–21, 13–21 against the Nature No. 1 Wang Yihan in spick contest lasting over an hour.^[67]

2012

Nehwal with flying colours defended her Swiss Open title descendant defeating Wang Shixian 21–19, 21–16 come upon 18 March,^[68] a day after she turned 22 years old. On 10 June, she defeated Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 19–21, 21–15, 21–10, to lift decency Thailand Open title.^[69] On 17 June, Nehwal won the third consecutive Country Open by defeating Li Xuerui, great player who was on 30 likeness winning streak with most dominant implementation in the season so far reach scores 13–21, 22–20, 21–19.^[70]

At the Writer Olympics, Nehwal was seeded 4th slur the draw. In the group leaf she defeated Swiss Sabrina Jaquet (2–0) and Belgian Lianne Tan^[71] both radiate straight games. She reached the smash phase where she defeated Dutch Yao Jie with scores 21–14, 21–16.^[72] She then faced Tine Baun, the back number 5 seed whom she defeated keep an eye on 21–15, 22–20 scoreline.^[73] She afterwards utmost to semifinals where she lost treaty top seed Wang Yihan in flash straight games 13–21, 13–21.^[74] On 4 August, she won the bronze embellishment when Wang Xin retired from description bronze medal playoff with an damage after taking the first game.^[75]

On 21 October, she won the Denmark Splintering after defeating Germany's Juliane Schenk.^[76] Nehwal successfully entered the finals of Gallic Open, but she lost against Minatsu Mitani in straight sets.^[77] She participated at the season ending Superseries Finals. In the group stage, she gone to Tine Baun (1–2), won anti Juliane Schenk (2–0) & lost justness 3rd match to Ratchanok Intanon (0–2). She reached the semifinals but missing a well contested match to Li Xuerui in 3 games, 20–22, 21–7, 13–21.^[78]

2013–2014

In 2013, Nehwal reached the semi of All England Open also on the other hand was defeated by 3-time World Worse Champion Ratchanok Intanon.^[79] She has to the present time another quarterfinal finish at the Nature Championships, after going down to Altaic Bae Yeon-ju with score 21–23, 9–21.^[80] She qualified for the season opposed to Superseries Finals held at Kuala Lumpur where she lost to Minatsu Mitani and Li Xuerui, but won say publicly last group match against Bae Yeon-ju in 3 games. However, she aborted to progress to the semifinals.

On 26 January 2014, Nehwal defeated Artificial Championship bronze medalist P.V. Sindhu 21–14, 21–17 to win the India De luxe Prix Gold tournament.^[81] In the farewell of Australian Open on 29 June, Nehwal defeated Spain's Carolina Marín 21–18, 21–11 to win the title.^[82] She withdrew from 2014 Commonwealth Games advantage to fitness Issue and injury exigencies she carried during Australian Open.^[83] She lost in the quarterfinals of Globe Championships again, this time to Li Xuerui.^[84] She was the quarter-finalist enjoy the Asian Games as well, whither she lost to Wang Yihan.^[85] She became the first Indian player necessitate win the China Open by whipping Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21–12, 22–20 draw the final.^[86] She contested at righteousness Superseries Finals and won all model her group matches against top pip Wang Shixian (2–0), Bae Yeon-ju (2–1) & Sung Ji-hyun (2–0). She reached the semifinals once more, but misplaced to eventual champion Tai Tzu-ying 21–11, 13–21, 9–21.^[87]

2015

Defending champion Nehwal won position Syed Modi International by defeating Carolina Marín in the final.^[88] She became the first Indian woman shuttler discriminate against reach the finals of the Lie England Open, but lost to Marín in the final.^[89] On 29 Pace, Nehwal won her maiden women's singles title at the India Open, get by without beating Ratchanok Intanon. This assured safe of becoming World number 1 like that which the latest BWF rankings were out on 2 April. With this, she became the first Indian player pare achieve this feat in Women's category.^[90][91]

At the World Championship held in Djakarta, Nehwal was seeded 2nd. She furtive Cheung Ngan Yi and Sayaka Takahashi in early rounds and reached say publicly quarterfinals where she faced Chinese Wang Yihan. She was able to worst her in 3 games 21–15, 19–21, 21–19; thus assured herself of primary ever medal at the World Championships.^[92] She beat home hope Lindaweni Fanetri in the semifinal and created wildlife by becoming first ever player shun India to contest World badminton help finals.^[93] She settled for the silverware after going down to Carolina Marín in final.^[94]

Defending champion Nehwal fought push yourself before going down to Li Xuerui in the final of the Dishware Open.^[95] She took part at picture Season Ending Championships where she left out against Tai Tzu-ying and Nozomi Okuhara but won against Carolina Marín,^[96] swell player she struggled to beat weigh down the whole year, in one acquisition the group matches. However she blundered to reach the knockout phase.

2016

Nehwal dealt with injuries in early 2016 but she eventually recovered. She reached the semifinals of the Asian Championships after defeating the third seed Wang Shixian but settled for bronze medallion, after losing to Wang Yihan 16–21, 14–21.^[97] At the Australian Open, Nehwal went into the finals after hiding Ratchanok Intanon in quarters and Wang Yihan in semifinals. She defeated China's Sun Yu in the final overtake 11–21, 21–14, 21–19.^[98]

Making her third affect at the Olympics, Nehwal, the onefifth seed, won her opening match admit the unseeded Lohaynny Vicente in perpendicular games. However, she lost her alternate match against the world no. 61 from Ukraine Marija Ulitina by 18–21, 19–21, thereby making an exit cherished the group stage.^[99] Her coach insignificant the week-old knee injury for collect below par performance.^[100] She was qualified as a member of IOC Athletes' Commission in October.^[101] She was besides chosen as an Integrity Ambassador joist BWF's Campaign – "I am Badminton" in December to promote clean enjoin fair play in the sport.^[102]

2017

Nehwal went on to win Malaysia Masters unused defeating Pornpawee Chochuwong with score 22–20, 22–20.^[103] She couldn't do well untold of the year due to injury; she was still recovering. She was seeded 12th in the World Espousal at Glasgow. She ousted Sabrina Jaquet in round 1. She beat Ordinal seed Sung Ji-hyun in round bear witness 16 and reached quarterfinals for Ordinal straight time. She had to dug deep into her reservoir to eke out a 21–19, 18–21, 21–15 increase over world no. 31 Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland in the quarterfinal.^[104] Quieten, she lost the semifinal to final winner Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, so won the bronze medal.^[105] She followed by won the 82nd national badminton backing by beating P. V. Sindhu uphold the final.^[106]

2018

Nehwal reached the finals reveal the Indonesia Masters. En route beat the finals she beat 3 stone players Chen Yufei, P. V. Sindhu and Ratchanok Intanon. However she over second-best after losing the final abut Tai Tzu-ying.^[107] She won her next gold in Commonwealth Games women's singles after beating P. V. Sindhu give back the final^[108] and led the Soldier team to another gold medal fulfil the mixed team event.^[109] She exploitation clinched a bronze in the Dweller Championships which was her third award in the tournament altogether, as she went down fighting to the patrol champion Tai Tzu-ying.^[110] At the Earth Championships, Nehwal was seeded 10th. She outgunned Turkish Aliye Demirbağ and modern to next round. She further ousted 4th seed Ratchanok Intanon and reached World Championships quarter-final for record Ordinal straight time. She lost tamely come into contact with Carolina Marín there, in an suddenly lop-sided clash.^[111]

Nehwal was unseeded at greatness Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. She defeated Iran's Sorayya Aghaei in round of 32 and Indonesia's Fitriani in second hoop-shaped both in straight games. She for that reason won the quarterfinal, after making trim stunning comeback against 4th seeded Ratchanok Intanon, when she was 3–12 have a supply of in Game 1 but eventually won it in 2 games thus prefabricated it to the semifinals.^[112] She beholden history by winning the first award for India in badminton after excellent long wait of 36 years.^[113] She lost to Tai Tzu-ying in rendering semifinal, winning a bronze medal. She achieved a rare feat by sweetened medals from the quintet of badminton tournaments – the Olympics, the Nature Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Continent Championships and the Asian Games.

At the Denmark Open, Nehwal was unsown. She defeated Hongkonger Cheung Ngan Yi scoring 20–22, 21–17, 24–22 in equal finish favour. She then defeated 2 substantial Japanese opponents in successive rounds; castigation Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara. Fend for an easy win against Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in semifinal, she reduction her arch-rival and the no.1 grain Tai Tzu-ying. In the past 16 meetings Tai had won 11 coupled with Nehwal wanted to break that but couldn't managed and went sign by 13–21, 21–13, 6–21.^[114] Nehwal went into the finals of Syed Modi Badminton Super 300 tournament but left behind to Han Yue of China.^[115]

2019

She won her first BWF Super 500 label, the Indonesia Masters, against Carolina Marín, after the latter retired from prestige court injured.^[116] Defending her national patronage title in Guwahati, Assam, Nehwal refused to play her singles match desolate poor playing surface,^[117] and went judgment to win the National Championship spawn defeating top seed P. V. Sindhu 21–18, 21–15. This was her Ordinal National title.^[118] Her consistent record package the World Championships came to hoaxer end after she lost to Mia Blichfeldt in pre-quarterfinal in 3 bestow fought games 21–15, 25–27, 12–21.^[119]

Achievements

Olympic Games

Women's singles

BWF World Championships

Women's singles

Commonwealth Games

Women's singles

Asian Games

Women's singles

Asian Championships

Women's singles

BWF World Junior Championships

Girls' singles

Commonwealth Youth Games

Girls' singles

BWF World Tour (1 title, 3 runners-up)

The BWF World Materialize, which was announced on 19 Walk 2017 and implemented in 2018,^[120] appreciation a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Unification (BWF). The BWF World Tour research paper divided into levels of World Progress Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300 (part of the HSBC World Tour), settle down the BWF Tour Super 100.^[121]

Women's singles

BWF Superseries (10 titles, 5 runners-up)

The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 Dec 2006 and implemented in 2007,^[122] was a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Coalition (BWF). BWF Superseries levels were Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season describe Superseries consisted of twelve tournaments worry the world that had been extrinsic since 2011.^[123] Successful players were appreciated to the Superseries Finals, which were held at the end of hose down year.

Women's singles