World no. 2 badminton ace Saina Nehwal aims to be “injury free” in the run-up to the Rio Olympic Games in August.
World no. 2 badminton ace Saina Nehwal aims to be “injury free” in the run-up to the Rio Olympic Games in August.
Saina recently missed the Badminton Asia Team Championships, besides also skipping the Lucknow Open and the South Asian Champipnship.
“Last time, I was very fortunate to get a bronze medal (in the London Olympics). So, hopefully, this time, if I play, I hope to get at least one medal for the country. I hope to be injury-free to participate in the Rio Olympics,” Saina, who is recovering from a foot injury, told wire service PTI.
She added, “I will be a proud moment for me to represent India for the third time.”
Talking about the prospect of getting a gold in badminton at Rio, she said, “Let us see, I cannot predict. But I will work hard and will do my best.”
Saina said she took time off from some key tournaments since the schedule in the lead up to the Olympics would be gruelling.
“I opted out from the South Asian Championship, and also other tournaments, because I wanted to be fully fit by February. I knew I will not have time to recover post-June. I was completely out of shape. Now, I am playing better,” she said.
Many sportswomen are balancing careers with family life and Saina said she did not see marriage as a stumbling block to her career.
“For many, including our own Saina Mirza and Kim Clijsters, marriage could have been an inspiration to scale new heights in sport, but as of now, I have not given a thought to it.
“I have no fear either. Every girl has to get married. Marriage will happen but there is a particular time for it,” she said.
