DUBAI // Saina Nehwal is expecting a tough challenge from her Chinese opponents as the Indian badminton star fights to stay atop the world rankings and gain momentum moving towards the 2016 Olympic Games.
The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, Nehwal sits at the top of the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) women’s singles ranking, 613 points clear of Spain’s Carolina Marin, followed by the Chinese duo of Li Xuerui, the reigning Olympic champion, and Wang Shixian, while Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying completes the top five.
Nehwal is the first Indian woman to reach the top of the BWF rankings, taking over as the new No 1 from Xuerui on April 2. The Chinese was back at the top next week, but only for the next seven days and the Bengaluru resident is now back at the No 1.
She is the first non-Chinese to reach the No 1 position since Denmark’s Tine Baun was replaced by Wang Lin at the top in September, 2009, but Nehwal does not expect her reign to be an easy one.
“I feel very proud that someone from India has achieved the world No 1 position in badminton because it is such a physically demanding game, a very tough sport, and every player dreams of reaching this position,” said Nehwal, who was the guest of honour at the Shuttle Time Dubai Schools Championships final on Wednesday and gave away the prizes to the winners.
“It’s a big thing for me, but still, somehow it has not sunk in yet because it is a little difficult to believe that what you always wanted to achieve, you have it with you.
“I guess it is good in a way because I just want to keep working hard and keep performing well. You can never underestimate the Chinese players. Ups and downs happen, but they are really strong and give you a tough fight always, even when they are going through a difficult situation.
“I can say that I have worked very hard for this. I have been a bit lucky as well, but it is not easy getting to the top position. You have to beat all the players and I have been doing that, but I am also facing very stiff competition from these players. Thankfully, I am doing a little bit better than them.”
arizvi@thenational.ae
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