New Delhi:
Saina Nehwal continued her giant strides, breaking through the 'Great Wall of China' with five international titles to become the world number two as Indian badminton rode on her success to rise in profile in a highly successful 2010.
After a highly promising last year during which she won the Indonesian title, Saina proved once again why she is the brightest star in Indian badminton as she went several steps ahead this year.
The Hyderabadi became the first female Indian shuttler to win three back-to-back titles when she clinched the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold, Singapore Super Series and defended the Indonesian Open in June.
But the icing on the cake came in October when the 20-year-old won the Commonwealth Games gold medal at the Sri Fort Complex.
She didn't stop there and her insatiable hunger for success guided her to a third Super Series title when she won the Hong Kong Open last month to wipe out the disappointment of losing in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games.
Twin honours at the national level added to her aura as she was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awards.
"It has been nothing less than a dream year for me because even though I played in just five super series events out of 12 Super Series, I won three of them and it is a great feeling. Commonwealth Games and Asian Games were important this year and I won the gold in Delhi, which was also a memorable moment. I also received the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna award. What else can a player wish for," said Saina.
National coach and her mentor Pullela Gopichand also said that it has been a remarkable year for Saina.
"I has been a remarkable year for Saina. She has been playing like a champion and won back-to-back tournaments. She missed many Super Series events or else she could have been number one by this year end but that is not the priority, winning more tournaments is. Saina has been handling pressure pretty well," Gopichand said.
If Saina continued her giant strides, this year had a new star in men's singles. Even as established names such as Chetan Anand and Arvind Bhat struggled with injuries and poor form, P Kashyap increased his fan base when he won the Commonwealth Games bronze medal.
The lad from Andhra Pradesh, who had finished runners-up in the Spanish Open and Open Volant d'Or last year, notched up some brilliant wins, defeating Indonesian Mohammad Hashim and England's Rajiv Ouseph during his campaign at the Sri Fort Complex.
He was consistent on the international scene as well and his exploits helped him end the year at a creditable 23rd in the international rankings.
Ajay Jayaram also brought laurels to the nation, when he won his maiden international title -- the Smiling Fish International Championship in Thailand -- before adding another one at at the Yonex Czech International held in Brno.
Anand Pawar also made his return to the scene after being laid low by a back injury, by winning the Scottish Open.
The women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also had a resurgence of sorts. The combo, who started playing together only last year, won an unexpected gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.
If the seniors were making India proud on the international stage, the juniors were not far behind as rising shuttler H S Prannoy of Kerala won a silver medal for the country at the Youth Olympics Games in Singapore.
PV Siddhu also won all the tournaments she played in recent times, including the junior national title, following in the footsteps of Saina.
With their new found confidence, Indian shuttlers also did well in the team events, winning the Commonwealth Games silver medal in the mixed team event, which was another first for the country.
Earlier in the year, the men's and women's team reached the quarterfinals of the Thomas and Uber Cup, considered to be the world championship of team event which occurs every two years.
On the downside, the year proved to be low key for Chetan Anand and Bhat as none of them could win any international tournaments.
Chetan, who started the year inside the top 20 as India's top ranked player in world rankings, finished at 28th after a series ordinary performances at the international stage.
A knee injury in the run up to the World Championships gave him difficult times but Chetan made a return at the Delhi CWG but after losing to compatriot Kashyap in the bronze medal play off, he missed the Asian Games.
But his woes continued as he crashed out early from the season-ending Indian Open Grand Prix in Hyderabad.
Arvind also endured poor form and had nothing much to show as he finished the year at 48th in the world rankings.
India's growing stature in world badminton was a result of the relentless hard work done by the coaches and support staff and Saina and Kashyap acknowledged their Contribution.
"Gopi (Pullela Gopichand) and Bhaskar Babu sir have worked hard with me and I would like to thank them for their efforts and guidance and also each person who have contributed to the success of Indian badminton," Saina said.
Overall the year turned out to be a good one for Indian badminton as it consolidated its position at the world stage and gave enough hope of a bright future for the country next year too.
After a highly promising last year during which she won the Indonesian title, Saina proved once again why she is the brightest star in Indian badminton as she went several steps ahead this year.
The Hyderabadi became the first female Indian shuttler to win three back-to-back titles when she clinched the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold, Singapore Super Series and defended the Indonesian Open in June.
But the icing on the cake came in October when the 20-year-old won the Commonwealth Games gold medal at the Sri Fort Complex.
She didn't stop there and her insatiable hunger for success guided her to a third Super Series title when she won the Hong Kong Open last month to wipe out the disappointment of losing in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games.
Twin honours at the national level added to her aura as she was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awards.
"It has been nothing less than a dream year for me because even though I played in just five super series events out of 12 Super Series, I won three of them and it is a great feeling. Commonwealth Games and Asian Games were important this year and I won the gold in Delhi, which was also a memorable moment. I also received the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna award. What else can a player wish for," said Saina.
National coach and her mentor Pullela Gopichand also said that it has been a remarkable year for Saina.
"I has been a remarkable year for Saina. She has been playing like a champion and won back-to-back tournaments. She missed many Super Series events or else she could have been number one by this year end but that is not the priority, winning more tournaments is. Saina has been handling pressure pretty well," Gopichand said.
If Saina continued her giant strides, this year had a new star in men's singles. Even as established names such as Chetan Anand and Arvind Bhat struggled with injuries and poor form, P Kashyap increased his fan base when he won the Commonwealth Games bronze medal.
The lad from Andhra Pradesh, who had finished runners-up in the Spanish Open and Open Volant d'Or last year, notched up some brilliant wins, defeating Indonesian Mohammad Hashim and England's Rajiv Ouseph during his campaign at the Sri Fort Complex.
He was consistent on the international scene as well and his exploits helped him end the year at a creditable 23rd in the international rankings.
Ajay Jayaram also brought laurels to the nation, when he won his maiden international title -- the Smiling Fish International Championship in Thailand -- before adding another one at at the Yonex Czech International held in Brno.
Anand Pawar also made his return to the scene after being laid low by a back injury, by winning the Scottish Open.
The women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa also had a resurgence of sorts. The combo, who started playing together only last year, won an unexpected gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.
If the seniors were making India proud on the international stage, the juniors were not far behind as rising shuttler H S Prannoy of Kerala won a silver medal for the country at the Youth Olympics Games in Singapore.
PV Siddhu also won all the tournaments she played in recent times, including the junior national title, following in the footsteps of Saina.
With their new found confidence, Indian shuttlers also did well in the team events, winning the Commonwealth Games silver medal in the mixed team event, which was another first for the country.
Earlier in the year, the men's and women's team reached the quarterfinals of the Thomas and Uber Cup, considered to be the world championship of team event which occurs every two years.
On the downside, the year proved to be low key for Chetan Anand and Bhat as none of them could win any international tournaments.
Chetan, who started the year inside the top 20 as India's top ranked player in world rankings, finished at 28th after a series ordinary performances at the international stage.
A knee injury in the run up to the World Championships gave him difficult times but Chetan made a return at the Delhi CWG but after losing to compatriot Kashyap in the bronze medal play off, he missed the Asian Games.
But his woes continued as he crashed out early from the season-ending Indian Open Grand Prix in Hyderabad.
Arvind also endured poor form and had nothing much to show as he finished the year at 48th in the world rankings.
India's growing stature in world badminton was a result of the relentless hard work done by the coaches and support staff and Saina and Kashyap acknowledged their Contribution.
"Gopi (Pullela Gopichand) and Bhaskar Babu sir have worked hard with me and I would like to thank them for their efforts and guidance and also each person who have contributed to the success of Indian badminton," Saina said.
Overall the year turned out to be a good one for Indian badminton as it consolidated its position at the world stage and gave enough hope of a bright future for the country next year too.
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