Badminton star, Saina Nehwal, on Sunday missed out an opportunity to become the first Indian badminton player to win the World Championship after losing to Spain’s Carolina Marin 16-21, 19-21.
Despite her spirited fight, Saina, the world number 2, was simply no match to the Spaniard, the world number 1, in the end.
Saina is still the first Indian badminton player to win the silver in this prestigious championship.
Saina’s father Harvir Singh said that the family was proud of her as she reached the final, the first Indian to do so.
He said, “But she reached the finals and it’s a wonderful achievement for India. Saina kal World No.1 phir ban jaayegi aur kaafi lambe samay tak rahegi, aap dekhna. (Saina will once again become World Number 1 tomorrow and she will remain there for quite sometime, you will see)”
Reacting to her loss, another Indian badminton ace, Jwala Gutta said;
Tough luck #sainanehwal ..#firstsilverever proud moment for badminton in India!!!
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) August 16, 2015
Her defeat in the final notwithstanding, Saina’s performance has earned her a widespread praise particularly among the social media users.
Industrialist Naveen Jindal said that she was still the pride of India regardless of whether she won or lost.
Victory or defeat, you are the pride of our nation @NSaina . Well played… Tough luck today. Congratulations for the #Silver medal.
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) August 16, 2015
Poet Kumar Vishwas echoed his sentiments. Describing her as ‘bitiya of India, Vishwas said,;
What one field is lost the unconquerable will is still with u @NSaina 👏 👍
— Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) August 16, 2015
Pankaja Munde, a minister in Maharashtra government, tweeted;
congrats @NSaina for bringing India glory with first ever Silver Medal in World Badminton Championship #CheerForSaina
— Pankaja Gopinath Munde (@Pankajamunde) August 16, 2015
NSUI, the student wing of Congress party, too tweeted congratulating her for her performance in the final.
Congrats @NSaina, first Indian to win Silver medal in World Badminton Championship. U make us proud! #CheerForSaina pic.twitter.com/sH2ZbSilbl
— NSUI (@nsui) August 16, 2015
User Komal, also an AAP supporter, wrote,
First Indian ever to win a Silver Medal at the World Badminton Championship 😎
Proud of you @NSaina 😘😘😘😘 pic.twitter.com/zEGpKpxPbi— कोमल 🙂 🇮🇳 (@Komal_Indian) August 16, 2015
