Awardees

Citation

Starting with Karate at the age of six, Saina Nehwal changed course and rose to become the youngest player in the world to win a four-star tournament in badminton.

Her foray into the world of badminton was influenced by her father, Dr. Harvir Singh and mother Usha Nehwal, both of whom were state badminton champions.

As an under-19 champion, Saina was the first player to win the prestigious Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice, thus setting the first of many records to come. Famously known as ‘The Dragon Slayer’ for defeating the best Chinese badminton players, she is also the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships in 2008. With two monumental wins at the Super-Series tournaments in 2009 and 2010 she rose to No. 2 spot in the world rankings. Saina won the 2010 Commonwealth Games and is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest. Saina went on to win Bronze for India at London Olympics 2012 and in the same year, lifted her first Denmark Open trophy.

Saina has entered her name in the international; hall of fame by sheer hard work, devotion and unflagging commitment. In that effort, the sacrifices made by her parents, Dr. Harvir Singh and Usha deserve to be acknowledged. The training imparted by Pullela Gopichand, and her mentor the Indonesian badminton legend Atik Jauhari have been crucial in making her a champion.

Saina’s achievements have already been acknowledged world-wide. The Government of India conferred on her the Arjuna Award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri.

Saina has given recognition to the game of badminton for women and has blazed a trail of unmatched glory across the field of Indian sports.

For the modern women all over the world, and in India in particular, she has become an example to admire, cherish and to emulate.

The trustees of Yudhvir Foundation feel very happy to add their bit to her tally of honours and wish her greater glories and continued happiness in life.