Criticism helped me to work on the areas where I needed to improve, feels Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal was overwhelmed after her recent Gold medal triumph at the 2018 Gold Coast CWG, as she thanked her critics for helping her improve the weak points in her game. Nehwal battled it out against compatriot PV Sindhu in the women’s singles finals to secure Gold in Australia.
World number 12, Nehwal has been through a lot in the last 18 months with many questioning whether India's golden girl still had the capability of cutting it at the biggest stage. However, she proved all her critics wrong with a performance to remember making it to the top step of the podium at the recently concluded 2018 Gold Coast CWG after beating rival and compatriot PV Sindhu in straight games in the final. The 28-year old shuttler thanked her critics who helped her focus on the weak points of her game and helped her improve them. She added that she always wanted to win a Gold medal for her country and in doing so she felt extremely overjoyed.
“I faced criticism, but that’s what has helped me to work on the area where I felt and Gopi sir felt and Christopher Pedra, our physio, felt I needed to improve on. And that’s what matters - to improve and make yourself fit and I am happy to have won the Commonwealth Games gold because it’s a prestigious tournament and everyone wants to win it for the country.
“I didn’t lose hope, I wanted to fight and win tournaments again and make myself a more positive person. It’s working well and just want to remain fit for the rest of the year,” Saina said in a recent interview with TOI.
Since Saina returned to the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad following last year’s Badminton World Championships, she has looked a fitter and sharper as a player and Sunday’s gold medal at the CWG was a reminder of the same. Saina credited national badminton coach P Gopichand and physio Pedra, for their role in helping her achieve optimum fitness ahead of the tournament.
“I think all the top 15 players are very sharp, fitter and stronger and the competition is always tough with everyone. That’s what happened