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21 Unknown facts about India's Badminton Queen Saina Nehwal

Saina was the highest-paid badminton player in the world at one point in her career. Read some more unknown facts related to her life

Ankit Kanaujia
Last updated: 22.11.2017
Saina Nehwal: Unknown Facts. Chase Your Sport: Sports Social Blog


Saina Nehwal, an Indian badminton player, was born on 17 March 1990 in Hisar District, Haryana. The former world no. 1 has won over twenty-one international titles.


I love winning more than I love playing badminton. Winning is everything. ~ Saina Nehwal


Here are some Unknown facts about Saina Nehwal:


1) Before entering in the field of badminton, Saina was a champion in karate, in which she holds a brown belt.


2) Her parents, Harvir Singh and Usha Nehwal, also the State badminton champions in Haryana.


3) Her father, Harvir Singh, had to sacrifice a lot to give her the kind of training she received. He didn’t have enough money but always managed to procure it either by borrowing or taking a loan. As a result, Saina never fell short of money.


4) In 2006, She created history by winning the prestigious Asian Satellite Badminton tournament twice, becoming the first player to do so.


5) In 2006, She became the first Indian woman and youngest player of Asia to win the Philippines Open.


6) In 2008, She became the first Indian to win World Junior Badminton Championship.


7) In June 2009, she became the first Indian to win a BWF Super Series title.


8) Saina wins the 2010 India Open Grand Prix Gold, beating Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia in the final and thus justifying her billing as top seed in the tournament.


9) She was one of the eight brand ambassadors at the 2010  Commonwealth Games, which took place in New Delhi.


10) She has won a total of four medals in the Commonwealth Games – one gold and three bronze.


11) She is the first woman badminton player to win the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament twice.


12) She achieved the Bronze medal at the London Olympics 2014.



13) Saina Nehwal is the first Indian women to be ranked as number one in Badminton World Federation in Women's Singles category.


14) Nehwal plays for Hyderabad Hotshots in Indian Badminton League.


15) She is the first woman badminton player to win the Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament twice.


16) Saina Nehwal also represents her city, Hyderabad, in the Indian Badminton League.


17) She wrote her autobiography, Playing to Win, to inspire people to develop an interest in sports.


18) She is considered to be the most successful female sportsperson from India. She has already been accredited by the Padma Bhushan. Apart from this, she has also bagged the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award.


19) At one point in her career, Saina was the highest paid badminton player in the world, with endorsement deals worth more than a million dollars annually.


20) Her favorite actor is SHAH RUKH KHAN.


21) A biopic directed by Amol Gupte will be made on her and actress Shraddha Kapoor will play the title role. Badminton will gain momentum in a big manner after my win in Olympics. More players will participate in the game now-Saina Nehwal


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