Saina Nehwal’s historic bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics marked a watershed moment for Indian badminton. As the first Indian to achieve an Olympic medal in the sport, her triumph paved the way for India’s current dominance on the international stage.
Recently, Saina’s comments on the 2024 Paris Olympics sparked controversy. She criticized wrestler Vinesh Phogat for missing her weight cut and being disqualified from her gold medal match. However, Saina and her husband, Parupalli Kashyap, have defended her remarks.
“During the Paris Olympics, she expressed her opinion, and in the comments (on social media), I saw people saying that she got gifted the bronze medal,” Kashyap said. “Try and get yourself up to the level of the Olympics,” Saina retorted.
Saina’s bronze medal came after her opponent, Wang Xin, retired with an injury during the second game. “She was not the kind of player who showed any pain or emotions on court,” Saina recalled. “But I could see it in her face that something was wrong.”
“I heard a light sound from her end and she just sat down,” Saina continued. “I didn’t realize that something had happened to her. The next two-three points she was struggling to walk. And then suddenly she held out her hand and I wondered what was happening here.”
India won six medals at the Paris Olympics, one less than in Tokyo 2020. However, the badminton contingent disappointed with no medals for the first time since Beijing 2008. Despite strong contenders like PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and Lakshya Sen, India failed to secure a podium finish.
