Saina, India’s Olympic dream merchant

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Some of India’s brightest medal hopes at the London Olympic Games rest on the shoulders of the badminton contingent, which includes the likes of Saina Nehwal, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa and Parupalli Kashyap — all medallists at the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi in 2010. But undeniably, Saina — already a world beater at 22 — carries the most weight of expectations.

The World No.5, having played at the 2008 Games in Beijing, is the most experienced of the lot. The rest will be making their Olympic debut in London. And Saina knows just how much the nation is counting on her, given her recent triumphs at Thailand and Indonesia, where she defeated two formidable Chinese players en route to the Superseries title in Jakarta. She first defeated World No.4 Shixian Wang 21-17, 21-23, 21-19 in a gruelling match in the quarterfinals and then followed it up with a magnificent come-from-behind 13-21, 22-20, 21-19 victory over World No.3 Xuerui Li in the final to win her third Indonesia title.

“Now that I have shown the world I can defeat the Chinese players, a bit of the focus would be on me. All the best players in the world will now be looking to defeat me, and while that increases the pressure on me, I think I will relish the added challenge,” Saina said. That doesn’t mean, however, that she would not be wary of the Chinese, for long her traditional bugbears. “All the best players, the Chinese included, in the world will come prepared and I expect to be no less ready. I’m ready to take them on.”

Saina, who had a relatively quiet year until last month, stormed back into reckoning with the two titles. It might even be said she peaked at just the right time, with just a month remaining for the Olympics. However, Saina begs to differ. “I don’t think I peaked,” the Hyderabadi said. “I think I’ve been in good form all year, and that those two wins just proved it. I’m feeling really good right now, I’m in great shape, feel fit and I’m ready for London,” said Saina, who underwent a taxing training regiment to be fighting fit for the London Games.

This being her second time at what is the world’s biggest multi-sport spectacle, Saina said she would be more than happy to help out her compatriots in anyway she can in London, should the need arise. “Most athletes would consider themselves very lucky if they represent their country at the Olympics and it is truly a privilege that I’m getting a second chance,” Saina said.

“While I’m more than willing to help them, I’m sure they (the other Indian Olympic shuttlers) are more than ready for the Games. They have the experience of winning at some of the biggest tournaments around, so they surely have what it takes,” said Saina.

Four years ago at Beijing, Saina was at the cusp of ending India’s medal drought in the badminton event, but she went down fighting to Indonesia’s Maria Kristin Yulianti 28–26, 14–21, 15–21. Now, with her red-hot form and momentum, Saina — with her eyes firmly on a gold — seems to be just about the only player who is capable of taking on the mighty Chinese head-on and defeating them when the event kicks off on July 28 at the Wembley Arena.