Indian Shuttler Saina Nehwal: Former Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal has made a big revelation. 34-year-old Saina, a top badminton player, is suffering from arthritis. She will have to decide about her future in this sport by the end of this year because this disease has made it difficult for her to practice like normal days.
Former world number one Saina Nehwal won a bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012. Nehwal, a three-time Olympic participant, became the first Indian badminton player to win a medal at the Olympics. The Commonwealth Games 2010 and 2018 gold medalist said that she can no longer ignore the fact that her career is in its final stage.
In the ‘House of Glory’ podcast of veteran shooter and leader of the Indian contingent in Paris Olympics, Gagan Narang, Nehwal said, “The condition of my knee is not good. I have arthritis. My cartilage has deteriorated. In such a situation, it is very difficult to stay involved in sports for 8-9 hours.” Arthritis is a disease that damages the joints.
He said, ‘In such a situation, how will you challenge the best players in the world. I have to accept this at some level because two hours of practice is not enough to get the desired results against top players.’
She last entered the Singapore Open
Nehwal said she was still considering what impact retirement would have on her, but acknowledged that eventually she would have to take a decision. She is also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She last played a tournament more than a year ago at the Singapore Open, in which she was knocked out in the opening round.
She said, ‘I am thinking of retiring. It will be painful because it is like a common man’s job. Obviously, a player’s career is always short. I started at the age of 9. I will be 35 next year.’
Nehwal said, ‘I have also had a long career and I am proud of it. I am happy with whatever I have achieved. I will assess how I am feeling by the end of this year.’
‘It’s sad not to be able to participate in two Olympic Games’
The Padma Shri winner said that playing in the Olympics was his childhood dream and not being able to participate in two consecutive Olympic Games was painful.
Nehwal said, ‘Playing in the Olympics is everyone’s childhood dream. You prepare for years to reach that level. So, sometimes when you realize that you will not be able to achieve it, it hurts a lot.’
She said, ‘I have worked very hard. I participated in three Olympics. I gave my 100 percent in all of them. I can be proud of this and happy with it.’
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)