A fitter Saina Nehwal is showing glimpses of pristine form. With an active regimen and her characteristic grit, she’s ready to take on the world again
The April three years ago had also brought unbridled joy for Saina Nehwal. Long having carried the weight of expectation of her sport on her shoulders, Saina was reaping the fruits of her labour by becoming only the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to assume top spot in badminton’s world rankings. Much had changed in the intervening years since she first burst onto the scene as a teenager, but she could now look over her shoulder and see a new generation of Indian badminton players competing at the highest level. It would not just be her against the world anymore.
The 2012 bronze medal winner at the London Olympics is no longer her sport’s only medallist from India, nor the highest ranked. She even relinquished her top-10 ranking in recent months, although badminton world rankings seem to change quicker than it takes a pit crew to change a Formula One car tyre. But in her rousing victory at the Commonwealth Games, over compatriot P.V. Sindhu, or even while she took India home for the team gold earlier, Saina displayed a sense of calm and satisfaction after injuries had taken their toll for much of the last two years.
While a lot of experts feel that Sindhu has taken over the mantle as the player to beat from India, Saina has been clawing her way back into elite competition. After a tough 2016 where she exited the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the second round (which was followed by knee surgery), Saina began 2017 on a strong note, winning the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold title and a second World Championship medal, before she needed more rehabilitation for her injury.
この記事は Sports Illustrated India の May 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Sports Illustrated India の May 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory
Hosts India will have to play out of their skins to win their second Hockey Men’s World Cup title.
The Drive For Consistency
Find something you love doing and use that to fall in love with your body, so you can embrace change and sustain a pattern that lets you unlock the best version of yourself
The Phenomenon
Kevin Pietersen may have retired from playing, but he will remain a part of the game and Test cricket folklore for a long time
Powering The Action
The IPL is intense. Players let off the fireworks on the pitch, but it is the coaches and support staff that light the fuses. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED traces the evolution of this critical aspect of the game, and why Indians still need to make a mark
A Steep Learning Curve
Making the transition from the junior level to the senior team has been quite challenging but a hugely rewarding experience.
Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio
Apathy towards the Olympics could cast golf in a negative light and jeo paradise its standing with the IOC for the 2024 Games and beyond.
Bench Strength
With the Likes of Nair, Yadav, Jadhav and Chahal Performing With Maturity Over the Past Year, Team India’s Bench Strength Looks Strong Ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018)
A legend in his own time, Sir Roger was most proud of his neurology research but his historic sub-four mile run in 1954 is still regarded as one of his best breakthroughs
Battle Ready
A star-studded Indian contingent seeks to reshape its approach with rising talent, even as seasoned warriors in badminton, weight-lifting, shooting and wrestling aim for gold
Safe Passage
The Dustup That Marred the Return of Chris Paul to L.a. Has Faded. As the Point God Settles Into a New Home, He Has a New Running Buddy and a Group of Teammates Who Feel Like a Family
