Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal, an Indian professional badminton player, has made an indelible mark in the sport. She was born in 1990 and achieved the prestigious title of World No. 1 in 2015. With 24 international titles, including ten Superseries titles, she has emerged as a dominant force in badminton. A significant milestone in her career was reaching the world’s no. 2 position in 2009. Nehwal became the first female player from India to hold the top-ranked position in 2015 and also won a bronze medal in her second Olympics appearance at London 2012.

Nehwal’s contributions to Indian badminton are exceptional, marked by numerous milestones. She stands as the only Indian player to have won medals in all major individual events organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), including the Olympics, the BWF World Championships, and the BWF World Junior Championships. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, reach the final of the BWF World Championships, and secure the BWF World Junior Championships. In 2006, she became the youngest Asian and the first Indian female to win a 4-star tournament, as well as the first Indian to win a Super Series title. Displaying her leadership skills, Nehwal captained the Indian team during the 2014 Uber Cup, remaining undefeated and contributing to India’s first-ever Uber Cup bronze medal. Moreover, she became the first Indian to win two singles gold medals (in 2010 and 2018) at the Commonwealth Games.

Nehwal is widely regarded as one of India’s most accomplished badminton players and has played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport in the country. Her achievements have garnered recognition, and in 2016, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award, in recognition of her immense contributions to the field. Prior to that, she had already received India’s highest sporting accolades, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award. In addition to her sporting pursuits, Nehwal is known for her philanthropic efforts and was ranked 18th on the list of the most charitable athletes in 2015.