Saina Nehwal Timeline: Her Journey From 1990 To 2015: Becoming World No.1 Badminton Player

1971

Saina Nehwal has reached the top most position any badminton player in India has ever reached. Her life and achievements would be chronicled as an inspirational story for every Indian.

Let us take a glimpse through the landmarks of her life.

1990 March 25

Saina Nehwal is born as the second daughter of Harvir Singh and Usha Rani in Hissar. She did her primary school in Hissar and later her family shifted to Hyderabad.

Saina12

Saina_1

2006

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA:  Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal hits a return during her women's singles match against Cynthia Denise Course of Seychelles in the mixed team preliminary round at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, 17 March 2006. Nehwal defeated Course 21-3, 21-4.  AFP PHOTO/TORU YAMANAKA  (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images)

Won Philippines Open and became the first Indian woman to appear in a 4 star tournament.

Became the runner up at the 2006 BWF World Junior Championship.

Became the first Indian woman to reach the quarter finals at the Olympic Games. 

2008

India's Saina Nehwal eyes the shuttlecock during her women's singles third round badminton match against Hong Kong's Wang Chen (not pictured) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium on August 11, 2008. Nehwal won 21-19, 11-21, 21-11. AFP PHOTO/FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Declared as the “Most Promising Player” and reached the world super series semifinals.

2009

India's Saina Nehwal (R) and China's Lin Wang show their medals after the women's singles final at the Indonesian Open 2009 badminton competition in Jakarta on June 21, 2009.  India won 12-21, 21-18, 21-9. AFP PHOTO/Bay ISMOYO (Photo credit should read BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images)

Won 2009 BWF Super Series in June and became the first Indian to achieve it.

In August 2009 she reached the quarterfinals of world championship.

2010

DELHI, INDIA - OCTOBER 14:  Saina Nehwal of India celebrates winning a gold medal in the women's singles badminton at Vijay Chowk during day eleven of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games on October 14, 2010 in Delhi, India.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Became the first Indian Woman to reach the semi finals of 2010 All England Super Series but lost to eventual champion Tine Rasmussen.

2011

A slightly faltering year in her career when she lost subsequently and her ranking dropped to World No.5.

2012

saina-big

Won Swiss Open Title by defeating World No 2 Wang Shixian of China.

Won Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold title.

Won the bronze medal at the London Olympics.

On October 2012, she won the Denmark Open Super Series Premier after defeating Wang Yihan 21-12 12-7 in the semi-finals.

2014

Saina-AP_0_0

She became the 1st Indian woman to win the China Open Super Series Premier by beating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-12, 22-20 in the final.

2015

DSCN9045

Defending Champion Saina Nehwal won the 2015 India Open Grand Prix.

Became the first Indian woman shuttler to reach the finals of All England Open Badminton Championships, but lost to Carolina in the final.

On 16th Aug 2015, Saina went down fighting to Carolina Marin again, in the Final of World Badminton Championships held in Jakarta, settling for the Silver.

Became the World No. 1.

Kudos Saina for making it to the top and becoming an inspiration for many athletes!

Like you said, you have become the world number 1 but there is much more to do! Way to go, Saina!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here