Marriage an inspiration for competing at 2020: Nehwal
LUCKNOW: Marriage, for Saina Nehwal, is an inspiration for competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The London Olympics bronze medallist will tie the knot with Parupalli Kashyap on December 16, and even during the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast earlier this year she mentioned how Kashyap played a key role in motivating her to the singles gold.
“Kashyap is a very good player and can provide inspiration and help in training. It (marriage) is a part of life and everyone has to experience it,” said Saina on the sidelines of the Syed Modi International Badminton Championship on Wednesday.
Emphasizing that her focus will be on the 2020 Olympics, world No 9 Saina is aiming to break into the top five. “It’s not going to be easy but my biggest motivation is my career in badminton. I have been doing well for the country and always want to win,” she said.
Terming 2018 an inspirational year, Saina termed the bronze at the Jakarta Asian Games as an achievement. “I improved a lot in the second half of the season, especially after the Asian Games. Winning my first bronze was quite fantastic,” she said.
“The best part is that my movement has improved and the confidence is back. I need to work hard next year as every win or loss makes a big difference.”
Saina refused to accept there is a vacuum in Indian badminton after PV Sindhu and her.
“I don’t buy this theory as everyone is working hard. Sindhu and I are playing for the country and getting good results, so it’s natural that people are learning from us,” said the threetime winner of the Syed Modi event at the UPBA academy.
Saina was off to a flying start to the season by reaching the final of the Indonesia Masters before winning her second gold at the Commonwealth Games by beating PV Sindhu in the final. She then led India to another gold in the mixed team event.
At the Asian Badminton Championships, Saina settled for bronze after losing to defending champion Tai Tzu Ying, and fol-
lowed it with a bronze at the Jakarta Asian Games.
At the Denmark Open, Saina lost to Tai Tzu again, and lost to her at the French Open as well. “It’s good that at most of the
events this season I made the finals. I am confident now as I was not able to clear the first and second rounds of Super Series tournaments. I am happy to have broken the jinx,” she said.