Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

Saina Nehwal Makes History, Becomes 1st Indian Woman To Become World No. 1 In Badminton

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Mar, 2015 03:35 PM
    After being assured of the World No.1 spot, Olympic bronze medal winning shuttler Saina Nehwal said on Saturday that she can't believe she has reached the summit.
     
    "It is still unbelievable. Let me pinch myself! It will probably sink in only when I see my name on the top of the ranking list," an overjoyed Saina said here.
     
    Come Thursday when Badminton World Federation (BWF) revises its rankings, the Hyderabadi will become the first Indian woman to be ranked No.1.
     
    Following Carolina Marin's semifinal loss in the $275,000 India Open Superseries at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on Saturday, Saina's way became clear to notch the top spot.
     
    "I have been in the top-five for the last seven years and thrice I became No.2. I used to keep seeing Li Xuerui's name on the top for almost one and half years. I can finally see my name there now," said Saina, who turned 25 on March 17.
     
    Spain's Carolina and Saina were in the race to grab the coveted position in the absence of China's reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui. It is only a formality for Saina, who will overtake Xuerui to become the first non-Chinese woman to be No.1 since December 2010 when Denmark's Tine Baun was the top ranked shuttler.
     
    "I have taken some hard decisions to get here. I kept losing to top players all the time, in fact after last year's World Championship, I even thought of quitting badminton. It was a very dark time in my career. People were saying 'Saina, your career is finished'," said the Hyderabadi.
     
    "I then moved to Bangalore and my coach Vimal Kumar set a target of May this year to reach the No.1 rank. I did it in March itself!"
     
    The women's singles top seed unsurprisingly also made it into her maiden India Open final by defeating Japan's Yui Hashimoto in a last four clash.
     
    "I have never reached the finals of India Open before so this is a great moment for me here also. I always wanted to do well but somehow I missed reaching the finals here. It is the first time for me so I am excited," said Saina.
     
    Saina ended India's 35-year long wait for a No.1 player in the sport. Legendary Prakash Padukone had gained the men's singles No.1 ranking in 1980.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Baby Survives Falling On To Rail Tracks After Indian Mother Gives Birth In Moving Train's Toilet

    Baby Survives Falling On To Rail Tracks After Indian Mother Gives Birth In Moving Train's Toilet
    A baby boy delivered inside a toilet of a train by a woman slipped through the flush pipe and fell on railway track but survived miraculously in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district, a railway police official said Monday.

    Baby Survives Falling On To Rail Tracks After Indian Mother Gives Birth In Moving Train's Toilet

    Withdraw 'Objectionable' Fevikwik Ad: Hindu Group

    Withdraw 'Objectionable' Fevikwik Ad: Hindu Group
    The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Monday demanded immediate withdrawal of the "objectionable" advertisement for an adhesive aired on various TV channels depicting an Indian jawan fixing the shoes of a Pakistani soldier and an apology from the manufacturer for the "extremely tasteless" ad.

    Withdraw 'Objectionable' Fevikwik Ad: Hindu Group

    Entered Politics To Serve The City, Not For Power: Bedi

    Entered Politics To Serve The City, Not For Power: Bedi
    Accepting full responsibility for the BJP's crushing defeat in the Delhi assembly elections, the party's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi Monday said she opted for politics "not for position or power but for serving the city".

    Entered Politics To Serve The City, Not For Power: Bedi

    Roses, Wine And Dine: Indians Celebrate Valentine Day With Fervour

    Roses, Wine And Dine: Indians Celebrate Valentine Day With Fervour
    Couples smiling, walking hand-in-hand, holding bouquets of red roses or bags with gifts and wearing a smile were a common sight across cafes, eateries and streets across India on Valentine's Day, which was celebrated fervently by youngsters Saturday, despite strict warning from Hindu fringe groups.

    Roses, Wine And Dine: Indians Celebrate Valentine Day With Fervour

    Arvind Kejriwal Promises Corruption-free Delhi, End 'VIP Culture'

    Arvind Kejriwal Promises Corruption-free Delhi, End 'VIP Culture'
    Sounding more mature and pragmatic in his second innings, AAP leader and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday pledged to make Delhi India's first corruption-free city and end "VIP culture" even as he warned his colleagues against "arrogance" after his party's thumping election win.

    Arvind Kejriwal Promises Corruption-free Delhi, End 'VIP Culture'

    Is One Going To See A More Mature And Pragmatic Kejriwal?

    Is One Going To See A More Mature And Pragmatic Kejriwal?
    The first fallout of the Aam Admi Party's (AAP) spectacular victory in Delhi will be a renewed focus on sleaze in public life, as has been borne out by Arvind Kejriwal's commitment to make Delhi India's first corruption-free state in his inaugural address after being sworn in as chief minister for a second time.

    Is One Going To See A More Mature And Pragmatic Kejriwal?