# Saina Nehwal

> Indian badminton player

**Wikidata**: [Q464311](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q464311)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saina_Nehwal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saina-nehwal

## Summary
Saina Nehwal is an Indian badminton player who has become one of the most celebrated athletes in Indian sports history. She is known for her achievements in badminton, including winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal and reaching the world No. 1 ranking.

## Biography
- Nationality: India
- Known for: Achievements in badminton, including multiple international titles and awards
- Field(s): Badminton

## Contributions
Saina Nehwal's contributions are centered on her performance and legacy in professional badminton:
- Achieved the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles badminton.
- Won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
- Secured the Arjuna Award, recognizing her excellence in sports.
- Became the first Indian badminton player to win the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor.
- Was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.
- Recognized as the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year for her contributions to sports.

## FAQs
**What is Saina Nehwal known for?**  
Saina Nehwal is known for being one of India's most successful badminton players. She has achieved the world No. 1 ranking and won multiple international titles, including a Commonwealth Games gold.

**What awards has Saina Nehwal won?**  
She has won the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, and was honored with the Padma Bhushan. She was also named CNN-News18 Indian of the Year.

**What country is Saina Nehwal from?**  
Saina Nehwal is from India.

**What sport does Saina Nehwal play?**  
She is a professional badminton player, specializing in women's singles.

## Why They Matter
Saina Nehwal has significantly elevated the profile of badminton in India. Her rise to the world No. 1 ranking inspired a generation of young players and brought mainstream attention to the sport in a country where cricket traditionally dominates. Her achievements have contributed to the growth of badminton infrastructure and youth participation in India. As a trailblazer, she paved the way for other Indian badminton players to gain global recognition. Without her success, the sport may not have received the same level of institutional and public support in India.

## Notable For
- First Indian badminton player to win the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
- World No. 1 in women's badminton singles
- Commonwealth Games gold medalist
- Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award
- Winner of the Arjuna Award
- Named CNN-News18 Indian of the Year

## Body
### Career
Saina Nehwal's professional badminton career has been marked by numerous achievements:
- She became the first Indian to win the BWF World Junior Championships in 2008.
- Reached the BWF World No. 1 ranking in women's singles badminton in 2009.
- Won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010, a landmark achievement for Indian badminton.
- Secured the All England Open Badminton Championships title in 2015, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.

### Awards and Recognition
Saina Nehwal has been recognized with several of India's highest honors:
- **Arjuna Award** (2009): For her contributions to badminton.
- **Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award** (2009): India's highest sporting honor, which she was the first badminton player to receive.
- **Padma Bhushan** (2016): India's third-highest civilian award, recognizing her contributions to sports.
- **CNN-News18 Indian of the Year** (2010): Acknowledging her impact beyond sports.

### Legacy and Influence
Saina Nehwal's influence extends beyond her on-court performance:
- She inspired a new wave of Indian badminton players, including P.V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth.
- Her success played a role in shifting public and media attention toward badminton in India.
- She contributed to the development of badminton academies and youth programs, encouraging wider participation in the sport.

### Representation
As a representative of India on the global stage, Nehwal has:
- Competed in multiple BWF World Championships and Olympic Games.
- Helped raise the profile of Indian badminton internationally.
- Been a role model for young athletes, especially young women in India.

### Public Recognition
Saina Nehwal's achievements have made her a household name in India:
- Her recognition through national awards like the Padma Bhushan and Khel Ratna highlight her contribution to Indian sports culture.
- Her story is often cited in discussions about women's sports in India.
- She has been featured in various media as a symbol of excellence and perseverance.

## References

1. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20110829022228/http://www.badmintonindia.org:80/frmPlProfileDet.aspx?pId=19)
2. NDTV
3. [Source](https://bwf.tournamentsoftware.com/player-profile/3E7EEDF9-07F0-474E-A02B-CB598BBE365A)
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Aaj Tak
6. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/athletes/c3dc1910-18ff-44e8-84df-2628a7bcc53e)
7. [Source](http://www.sportsbharti.com/badminton/whos-who/saina-nehwal/)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://www.news18.com/news/books/soon-a-book-on-saina-nehwals-inspirational-story-487026.html)
11. [Source](https://www.hindustantimes.com/asian-games-2018/asian-games-2018-saina-nehwal-wins-badminton-bronze-medal-pv-sindhu-face-akane-yamaguchi/story-35n29ZTqJ3wI6FvkinTymN.html)
12. BBC Things
13. Google Knowledge Graph
14. Library of Congress Control Number
15. Quora