'Injuries have bogged Saina Nehwal down,' says former coach Vimal Kumar
According to Kumar the Indian badminton star has to train smarter and focus on fitness to make the cut for Tokyo Olympics
After the glory days of Prakash Padukone, and Pullela Gopichand's sensational victory at the 2001 All England badminton championships, it was Saina Nehwal who picked up the baton for Indian badminton.
Nehwal, who burst on the scene as a teenager, has clinched over 24 international titles -- including 11 Super Series trophies -- and won multiple medals (team and individual) at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. She also won the first Olympic medal for India in badminton as she clinched bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.
But as the Tokyo 2020 approaches, there is still uncertainty over she will make the cut for the quadrennial event. Her last chance to qualify make come at the Indian Open 2021, set to be held in May. Though she has been struggling in recent times, Nehwal hinted at a return to form as she made it to the semifinal of the Orleans Masters 2021.
"Saina's strength was mental. She was strong. But in the last four-five years she has been having injuries that has bogged her down," Nehwal's former coach Vimal Kumar to the Olympic Channel.
"But she can play really well and should learn to train more smartly and take care of her body. That is the key."
To be eligible to qualify for Tokyo 2020 singles event, Nehwal should be in the top 16 in the BWF Olympic Qualification rankings list. But if a nation misses to fill in the two berths via automatic qualification, it can get another chance to qualify for the remaining 22 places.
Nehwal may no longer train under under Kumar as she shifted back to Hyderabad in 2018 but the former national coach has observed her growth closely over the years.
Incidentally, he was also the force that guided Nehwal to World No. 1 ranking in April 2015, and a silver medal at the World Championships. He was also the chief coach of the Indian badminton squad at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, where Nehwal truly announced herself on the world stage, with a mixed team bronze medal.
Even as a teenager, Kumar recalls, Nehwal was never in the squad just to make up the numbers.
"She (Saina Nehwal) was totally a different girl. When I was the chief coach (in 2006), Saina was 16 and we had selected her in the squad for the Commonwealth Games and Euro Cup matches," Kumar explained.
"We had taken her for three-week training then we flew to Melbourne for Commonwealth Games. She was very focused, never mixed with players, kept aloof, worked hard during practice and that really impressed me. At Commonwealth Games 2006 she was the No. 2 or 3 player for India and at that time Aparna Popat was No.1. And Aparna lost to the defending champion Tracey Hallam (of England).
"She (Hallam, six-time Commonwealth Games medallist) was one of the top 10 girls in world badminton. Saina was sitting next to me and watching that match. And she said 'sir I think I can beat this girl'. And that coming from a 16-year-old girl, it was not arrogant or anything. She was ready to compete. After that, I had a discussion with my fellow coaches on fielding her and then she the matches (mixed team)," she added.
"That was her first break in badminton. She helped India to get a (mixed team) bronze medal."
Nehwal may have to call upon her mental fortitude as she bids to qualify for another Olympics. Nehwal has always shown guts in order to find glory.