Badminton

Saina Nehwal, India's badminton icon and former Olympic bronze medalist, has revealed her battle with arthritis, casting doubt on her future in the sport. The 34-year-old, who made history as the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal, is facing the reality that her illustrious career may be nearing its end.Nehwal's knee injury, aggravated by arthritis, has severely limited her training hours. "The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for eight-nine hours," she said.The realization that her body is no longer capable of the rigorous training required to compete at the highest level has forced Nehwal to confront the possibility of retirement. "I think I will have to accept it somewhere. Because two hours of training is not good enough to play with the highest level of players and get the desired results," she admitted.Nehwal's decision will be influenced by the impact retirement will have on her life. "I am also thinking about it (retirement). It will be sad because it is like a job that a normal person does. Obviously, a sportsperson's career is always a short one," she said.Despite the challenges, Nehwal remains proud of her accomplishments. "I have also had a long career and I am very proud of that. I have broken my body to a great extent. I am happy with what I have done and given it all," she said.The Padma Shri awardee expressed her disappointment at missing the Olympics for two consecutive editions. "Competing at the Olympics is a childhood dream for all. You prepare to reach that level for years. Hence, at times, when you realize you will not be able to make it, it hurts a lot," she said.Nehwal also spoke about the pressure of expectations that comes with being a top athlete. "When you become a big player, your friends, family, coaches, sponsors, everyone wants you to perform. There are a lot of stakeholders involved," she said.As she contemplates her future, Nehwal remains grateful for the support she has received throughout her career. "I have done a lot of hard work. I competed in three Olympics. I gave my 100 per cent in all of them. I can take pride in that and be happy about it," she said.

Saina Nehwal, India's badminton icon and former Olympic bronze medalist, has revealed her battle with arthritis, casting doubt on her future in the sport. The 34-year-old, who made history as the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal, has been hampered by injuries in recent years.Nehwal's knee condition has deteriorated to the point where she can no longer train for the extended hours required to compete at the highest level. "The knee is not very good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has gone to a bad state. It is very difficult to push for eight-nine hours," she said.The realization that her career is nearing its end has been a difficult one for Nehwal. "I think I will have to accept it somewhere. Because two hours of training is not good enough to play with the highest level of players and get the desired results," she admitted.Nehwal is considering retirement but is still weighing the impact it will have on her life. "I am also thinking about it (retirement). It will be sad because it is like a job that a normal person does. Obviously, a sportsperson's career is always a short one," she said.Despite the challenges, Nehwal looks back on her career with pride. She competed in three Olympic Games and gave her all in each one. "I have done a lot of hard work. I competed in three Olympics. I gave my 100 per cent in all of them. I can take pride in that and be happy about it," she said.Nehwal also spoke about the pressure of expectations that comes with being a top athlete. "When you become a big player, your friends, family, coaches, sponsors, everyone wants you to perform. There are a lot of stakeholders involved," she said.As Nehwal contemplates her future, she knows that she will have to make a decision by the end of the year. Her legacy as one of India's greatest badminton players is secure, but the question remains whether she will continue to push her body or step away from the sport that has defined her life.

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal's recent confession that she was unaware of javelin as an Olympic sport until Neeraj Chopra's gold medal victory in 2021 has sparked a debate about the limited knowledge of athletes outside their own disciplines.Nehwal's admission, made during an interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, highlights the intense focus and dedication required in professional sports, which often leaves little time for exploring other disciplines. "When Neeraj won, that is when I got to know about athletics has got this game too," she said. "You'll gain knowledge only when you see it, right? If you don't see, how will you know?"Nehwal's comments resonated with many athletes who acknowledged the challenges of staying abreast of other sports while pursuing their own. "It's not that you don't want to know, but you're so busy in your own field, how much time do you get deep into something else?" she explained. "If not you'll have to Google everything non-stop. If you're perfect in your own field, that's more than enough."However, Nehwal's remarks also drew criticism from some who questioned her lack of awareness about a major Olympic event. "Very surprising that a sportsperson of Saina Nehwal's calibre should feign ignorance about javelin event," said one user on social media.Despite the controversy, Nehwal's comments underscore the importance of specialization in elite sports. Athletes must dedicate countless hours to training, competition, and recovery, leaving little time for pursuing other interests. As a result, it is not uncommon for athletes to have limited knowledge of sports outside their own.Nehwal's experience also highlights the need for greater cross-promotion and awareness of different sports. By showcasing the achievements of athletes in various disciplines, sports organizations and media outlets can help broaden the knowledge of fans and athletes alike.

A month ago, Kolkata Knight Riders' rising star Angkrish Raghuvanshi sparked controversy with a tweet mocking badminton ace Saina Nehwal's comments on cricket's perceived lack of risk. Nehwal, in a recent interview, had called for more support and facilities for non-cricket sports, citing the sport's popularity despite its lower level of challenge compared to badminton, basketball, and tennis.Raghuvanshi's tweet, which he later deleted, read: "Let's see how she goes when Bumrah bowls 150k's bumpers at her head." The tweet drew widespread criticism, prompting Raghuvanshi to remove it.In a recent podcast interview, Nehwal responded to Raghuvanshi's tweet, stating that she would not be able to face Bumrah's bowling without proper training, just as Bumrah would not be able to handle her 300kmph smash in badminton."Why would I face Jasprit Bumrah anyways? If I had been playing for 8 years maybe I would have answered Jasprit Bumrah," Nehwal said. "If Jasprit Bumrah plays badminton with me maybe he won't be able to take my smash."Nehwal emphasized the need for equal support and facilities for all sports, arguing that it would lead to greater success at the global level. "How many badminton academies do we have? (And then) think about how many in cricket...If that many academies are there (for badminton), best facilities, why won't we get quality players," she said.Nehwal's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of supporting non-cricket sports in India. While cricket remains the most popular sport in the country, many argue that other sports deserve equal attention and resources to foster a more diverse and successful sporting culture.

KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi Mocks Saina Nehwal, Sparking Debate on Sports InequalityKolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has ignited a heated debate on sports inequality in India after mocking badminton star Saina Nehwal on social media. The controversy erupted after Nehwal claimed that sports like badminton, tennis, and basketball require greater physical exertion than cricket, while criticizing fans for prioritizing cricket over other sports.In a now-deleted post on social media, Raghuvanshi took a jab at Nehwal, writing, "Let's see how she goes when Bumrah bowls 150k's bumper at her head." Nehwal responded indirectly, asserting that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah would struggle to handle her smash."How will you become Virat at that level? How will you become Rohit Sharma? So many players have to become like them. They can't. Only a few of them are like that. But I just feel that it's more of a skill-based sport. And bowlers, I agree. I won't die there. Why would I face Jasprit Bumrah anyways? If I had been playing for 8 years maybe I would have answered Jasprit Bumrah," Nehwal said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast."If Jasprit Bumrah plays badminton with me maybe he won't be able to take my smash. We should not fight with ourselves in our own country for these things. That's what I want to say. Every sport is best in its place. But I want to say give value to other sports as well. Otherwise, where will we get sporting culture from? And cricket, Bollywood will always be our focus," added the 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist.Nehwal also highlighted the disparity in facilities and support between cricket and other sports in India, contributing to the country's struggles to win medals at the Olympics.Raghuvanshi, who made his IPL debut in 2024 and had a successful season with KKR, has since apologized for his comments. However, the incident has sparked a wider discussion about the need for greater recognition and support for non-cricket sports in India.

KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi Apologizes for Controversial Comment on Saina NehwalKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi has issued an apology for his controversial comment directed towards Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal. The incident occurred in the context of a broader discussion surrounding the recognition and rewards for athletes across different sports in India.Following India's victory in the ICC T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a substantial cash prize for the team members. However, the Maharashtra government's decision to award cash rewards specifically for their state cricketers drew criticism from prominent Indian badminton player Chirag Shetty.Echoing a similar sentiment, Saina Nehwal expressed her concerns about the disproportionate attention and recognition that cricket receives compared to other sports in India. She highlighted the consistent performances and achievements of athletes in other sports, such as badminton, wrestling, and boxing.Reacting to Nehwal's comments, Raghuvanshi posted a controversial remark on social media, suggesting that she would struggle to face fast bowling from Jasprit Bumrah. The comment drew widespread criticism, prompting Raghuvanshi to delete his post and issue an apology."I'm sorry everyone, I meant my remarks as a joke, looking back I think it was a really immature joke. I realize my mistake and I sincerely apologize," Raghuvanshi said.The incident has sparked a debate about the need for greater recognition and support for athletes in non-cricket sports in India. Critics argue that the dominance of cricket in the media and public consciousness has led to a lack of appreciation for other sports and their athletes.

Saina Nehwal, India's first Olympic badminton medalist, has high hopes for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics. She believes that the men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have a 95% chance of winning a medal, including a strong possibility of gold.Nehwal praised the duo's growth, form, and consistency, stating that they are the country's top prospects in Paris. She also expressed confidence in the entire seven-member Indian squad, which includes H.S. Prannoy, P.V. Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto, and Lakshya Sen."I hope everyone gives a tough fight," Nehwal said. "All of them have shown good results in the last 3-4 months. There are definite chances that a medal will come (from badminton). At the moment, I can't say how many, but they will come for sure."Nehwal believes that Shetty and Rankireddy are so dominant that they will be favorites against most opponents, except for a few Chinese and Danish pairs. She emphasized that they must embrace the pressure and expectations that come with competing at the Olympics.Regarding Sindhu, Nehwal believes that she has a chance to win her third Olympic medal. Despite her recent form, Nehwal stressed the importance of preparation and work ethic. She pointed to Lee Chong Wei's three consecutive silver medals as an example of the possibility of multiple Olympic medals.Nehwal also commented on the evolution of the women's game, which has become more physical and dominated by longer rallies. She cited An Se Young as an example of this trend, praising her speed, endurance, and diving ability.In the men's singles, Nehwal believes that the field is wide open in Paris. She named Viktor Axelsen, Shi Yu Qi, and Lakshya Sen as potential medal contenders. She emphasized that on any given day, any of the top players can beat each other.