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Saina Nehwal Honoured with Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award Post-Retirement

Olympian shuttler Saina Nehwal was honoured with the prestigious Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. She expressed deep gratitude to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev for the recognition and described the event as a proud day. The award comes shortly after she confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton in January, ending a career hampered by a chronic knee condition. Nehwal stated she left the sport on her own terms after severe cartilage degeneration made high-level training impossible.

Key Points: Saina Nehwal Receives Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award from Rajnath Singh

  • Awarded at Isha Yoga Centre
  • Presented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
  • Saina expressed gratitude to Sadhguru
  • Confirmed retirement due to knee injury
  • Former World No. 1 badminton player
2 min read

Saina Nehwal honoured with Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award

Olympian Saina Nehwal honoured with Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Isha Yoga Centre. She reflects on her retirement.

"I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms. - Saina Nehwal"

Coimbatore, February 16

Olympian shuttler Saina Nehwal was honoured with the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore.

After receiving the award, Saina Nehwal expressed deep gratitude and pride.

"I feel very different because it's such a huge gathering today. I'd like to thank Sadhguru Ji (Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev) for honouring me. I just love this place. You feel very peaceful and have a positive outlook. And today he honoured a lot of us. He presented us with the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award, which is one of the most prestigious for me. It feels really special to be in front of him, and our Defence Minister was also here to give the award. It's a very proud day for me. So I would like to thank Sadhguru Ji and hope in the future that we have many more such recognitions for the sportspersons and for the different fields as well," the London Olympics 2012 bronze medallist said.

Notably, Saina Nehwal confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton on January 20 this year, after nearly two years out of action due to a chronic knee condition.

"I had stopped playing two years back. I actually felt that I entered the sport on my own terms and left on my own terms, so there was no need to announce it," Saina Nehwal said in a podcast as quoted by the Olympics.com.

The former World No. 1 revealed that the decision was made after severe cartilage degeneration in her knees rendered sustained high-intensity training impossible.

The badminton player added that her body could no longer meet the demands of top-tier badminton.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy for her! But I have a small point - while the award is great, I wish our government and sports bodies would focus more on creating a system that supports athletes *during* their careers, not just with awards after they retire. The knee injury story is heartbreaking.
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Rohit P
"Entered on my own terms and left on my own terms." What a powerful statement. That's the mark of a champion. She gave us so many memorable wins. Thank you, Saina!
S
Sarah B
It's wonderful to see her honoured at the Isha Centre. The setting seems so serene. A fitting tribute to an athlete who always played with such calm determination.
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Vikram M
From Hyderabad to the world! She put Indian badminton on the map before Sindhu. A true pioneer. Hope she continues to contribute to the sport as a coach or mentor.
K
Karthik V
The fact that the Defence Minister himself gave the award shows the respect she commands. Jai Hind! Our athletes are our real heroes.

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