SAINA NEHWAL – WORLD NO. 2

July 18th, 2010 by Ravi Matah | Posted in Sports   Comments Off on SAINA NEHWAL – WORLD NO. 2
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Saina Nehwal has been ranked World No 2 badminton player by the World Badminton Federation as a result of a hat-trick of victories on the world circuit. She is now just one step away from the pinnacle of glory for which she is prepared and hopeful to achieve that target. 

Saina made history on June 21, 2009, becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, by clinching the Indonesia Open with a victory over higher-ranked Chinese Wang Lin in Jakarta.Saina Nehwal

During 2010, Saina has won all the three major events, the Indian Open Grand Prix, the Singapore Open Series and the Indonesia Open Series.

World number three Saina, seeded top in the tournament as defending champion, defeated Sayaka Sato of Japan to clinch the Indonesian Open, which is her third title in as many weeks.

Saina’s victory in 2010 Indonesia Open got her a prize money worth 18,750 U.S. dollars“I never expected to reach the finals as there were two good Chinese players in the draw but I believed in myself and got the result I wanted,” said the 20-year-old sports star after winning her title.

Saina won her second career Super Series title by winning the Singapore Open title on June 20, 2010. She completed a hat-trick in the same year by winning the Indonesian Open on June 27, 2010. This win resulted in her rise to 3rd ranking and subsequently to No. 2. This remains her highest career ranking.

She was ranked No. 3 on winning the Indonesian Open and now she has been nominated as No 2 by the World Badminton Federation. This is not clear, as she has not played any major tournament after 27 June 2010?

Saina though born in Haryana, has spent her entire life in Hyderabad, India. Her foray into the world of badminton was influenced by her father Dr. Harvir Singh, a scientist at the Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad and her mother Usha Nehwal, both of whom were former badminton champions in Haryana. She is now the top ranked player in Indian Badminton history.

On her phenominal success,  Amitabh Bachchan asked his Twitter followers how Saina was doing — “Wow ..!!! Brilliant .. go india, go Saina !!” — his son Abhishek Bachchan posted, “Saina congratulation!! Way to go girl.”

Actress Gul Panag who is very active on Twitter retweeted one of her followers’ tweet: “Saina Nehwal wins her 3rd Super Series title. Kudos and congratulations to the champion.”

She is shuttling her way towards becoming one of the top spots brands in India.  Brand strategists say that she can now charge up to 30 lakh per endorsement.
Her professional career is managed by GloboSport.

Saina is now the most-wanted sports celebrity in India, apart from the cricket players.  A few days ago, she walked the ramp dressed as a bride.  She’s also been offered a job with the Haryana Police. And while Bollywood may be showing some interest, Saina’s going to just say no.  “I don’t want to do any movies because that’s totally another profession and I am from a sporting background. So I just want to play my game.
 
Sania is  working on her physical fitness as she leads the Indian team at the World championship in Paris. A top performance could see her returning to India as world number one. Thereafter,  her brand value could touch a crore per ad. 

Saina was born in 1990 in a Jat family from Haryana. In December 1998, Saina’s father, a Scientist in the Directorate in Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, took her to meet Coach Nani Prasad at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad, for badminton coaching. Then started her carrer in badminton.

The new kid on the block  is ready for her next kill.

Ravi Matah.

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