Saina becomes first Indian Women Shuttler to achieve the feat
Saina Nehwal today created history by becoming the first Indian woman shuttler to attain the number one spot in world rankings, reaffirming her status as the country’s most consistent performer in the international circuit.
The 25-year-old zoomed to the top after her closest challenger for the position, Spain’s Carolina Marin, lost in the India Open Super Series semifinal here. The reigning world champion, who was seeded second, lost to third seed Thai Ratchanok Intanon 21-19 21-23 22-20.
Prakash Padukone had the distinction of being the No. 1 men’s badminton player but Saina became the first Indian woman to achieve this feat.
Saina plays Japan’s Yui Hashimoto in the second semifinal but the Indian ace will be No. 1 irrespective of her result on Saturday.
President and Prime Minister congratulate the numero uno shuttler via twitter
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Miniter Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Saina Nehwal on becoming the first Indian women to become world’s number one badminton player.
In his Tweet, the President said “Congrats Saina Nehwal on becoming World no 1 in Badminton; well deserved honour; best wishes for Indian Open Semi Final.” While PM Modi tweeted “The phenomenal accomplishments of @NSaina make us very proud. I congratulate her on being the World Number 1.”
