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Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 20:28 IST
Nehwal brought the curtain down on her career as a swathe of injuries took their toll, but her legacy will outlive her glorious career as she redefined the spot in the nation.
Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal announced her retirement on Monday, concluding one of the most illustrious careers in Indian badminton history. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist also boasts multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals, as well as podium finishes in the World Championships, Asian Games, Asian Championships, and the World Junior Championships.
Saina Nehwal became the first Indian to reach the No.1 spot in the world rankings as she scaled the summit in the year 2015. (News18)
Saina, born to Usha Rani Nehwal and Harvir Singh Nehwal, and trained under Vimal Kumar, went on to redefine the sport in the nation. (News18)
Saina Nehwal. (News18)
Nehwal is also the first Indian woman to win a BWF Superseries with her victory in Indonesia in the year 2009 and reached the No.1 spot in the world rankings as she scaled the summit in the year 2015. (News18)
Nehwal is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shree, and Arjuna Awards for her exploits. (News18)
Saina Nehwal is the only Indian to win two medals at the BWF World Junior Championships. She first won silver at the 2006 Incheon Champs, losing to Wang Yihan, 2012 London Olympics silver medallist. At the 2008 edition, she beat Japan’s Sayaka Sato to win gold. Saina went on to win bronze at the 2012 Olympics. (News18)
Nehwal is the first Indian woman to win a badminton medal at the Olympics with her stupendous showing at the Tokyo Games where she ended with a bronze. (News18)
Nehwal called time on her illustrious career in January 2026 as injured took heir toll on one of the finest shuttler to come out of the vast country. (News18)
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