Saina Nehwal

Olympic medal won - Bronze in 2012 London Olympics

Saina Nehwal is regarded as the queen of Indian badminton and the woman who inspired millions of kids in India, boys and girls alike, to consider badminton as a career option. Born on March 17, 1990 in Hisar, Haryana, Nehwal developed a liking for the sport at an early age. Her parents supported her and she enrolled into the Pullela Gopichand to let her dreams fly.

Nehwal turned heads at the Beijing Olympics when she upset then Asian champion Wang Chen to reach the quarterfinals. Her dream for an Olympic medal came crashing down after she lost in the quarters. However, unfazed by the outcome in Beijing, the Indian shuttler made a roaring comeback at the London Olympics and became the first Indian badminton player to clinch an Olympic medal after winning the bronze medal match against Wang Xin.

She was one of the favourites to win gold at the World Badminton Championship in Jakarta in 2015 but her dream run came to a screeching halt in the summit clash where she lost to Carolina Marin. Nehwal bagged a silver and added another bronze to her kitty at the World Badminton Championship in 2017.

Nehwal has won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, one in 2010 and two in 2018.