Saina Nehwal (born on March 17, 1990) is the very first Indian woman who could reach the singles’ quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. In 2010, Saina created history by becoming the first Indian player to win the Super Series; She won the Singapore Open, the Indonesia Open and the Hong Kong Super Series. This resulted into her becoming the world no. 2 player. Currently, Badminton World Federation ranks her at number 5 in the world.
In early childhood, she was Karate player which she left at the age of 8. Her passion for badminton was inspired by her parents Dr. Harvir Singh, who is a scientist at the Directorate of Oilseeds Research, and mother Usha Nehwal. She would practice badminton in Court of Faculty Club of CCS HAU which was situated in her University. In 2002, Saina’s kit was sponsored by sports brand Yonex and in 2003 she got a major break when she won the tournament The Junior Czech Open. At the age of 19, she became the national champion who created history by winning one of the most prestigious Asian Satellite Badminton tournaments twice. In 2006, she became the well-known global face and the first Indian woman to win a 4-star tournament, the Philippines Open. Her determination, hard work and honest devotion continues to take her to the pinnacle of success.
Achievements:
She won Gold Medal in Czechoslovakia Junior Open in 2003; Asian Satellite Badminton Tournament in 2005; Philippines Open in 2006; Indian National Badminton Championships and National Games of India in 2007; Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold, Indian National Badminton Championships, Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008; BWF World Junior Championships and BWF Super Series Masters finals in 2008.
Saina won Indonesia Super Series and Indian Open Grand Prix in 2009; India Open Grand Prix Gold, Singapore Open Super Series, Indonesia Open Super Series, Commonwealth Games and Hong Kong Super Series in 2010; the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold in 2011 and in 2012 and won silver and bronze in several tournaments.
In August 2010, the Government of India awarded her with the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Info Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saina_Nehwal
