Saina - A Legend in Making

India's own golden child - Saina Nehwal, did her country proud when she bagged a bronze medal in Badminton at the 2012 Olympics held at London. In doing so, she also became the very first Indian to win a medal of any kind, in Badminton, at the Olympics. Much kudos to the little girl from Haryana who fought tooth and nail, pushing herself beyond the limits, to not just be an Olympic medalist, but also the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships, by the age of 22years.

No one deserves the medals as much as Saina Nehwal for her sheer dedication, hard work and raw talent. As described and praised by her mentor and coach, Pullela Gopichand, the badminton player, she truly is a fighter. Saina grew strong in spite of having to face defeat at the hands of as many as eleven players, and continued to focus on the positive elements to achieve what she has and get where she is now. She would train day in and day out, avoid the hullabaloos of the endorsement deals and press conferences, focusing on what is most important- the practice sessions. While other sports celebrities are busy enhancing their public image in whatever ways possible, even if their on-filed performances are tanking by the day, Saina pays no heed to unnecessary temptations. Gopichand expresses his joy at his protégé's success, and admits that he lives vicariously through her accomplishments.

As a true testament to the legend that she has already become, T. S. Sudhir- former NDTV editor and journalist, has penned down a biography on Saina Nehwal profile. The book, panning over 117 pages, is a glimpse of Saina's past, her transition from a nine year old who was motivated to enter the field of badminton by her parents- who themselves were quality badminton players, to a twenty two year old ace prolific shuttler. She states her father and her coach as the two people that she admires most in her life. Following the footsteps of cricketers, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, Saina heroically flew the Kiran MK II jet trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force in Dundigal, Andhra Pradesh on 28th September 2012. Her efforts and endeavours have paid off and have helped her hit the pay dirt. She is credited as the highest paid India non-cricket oriented athlete. With an eye on the distant Olympic future, India waits for a gold medal to be annexed in to Saina Nehwal statistics.

How To Choose A Badminton Racket

Of all racquet sports, badminton has the thinnest, most lightweight of all rackets. As such, the sport which features singles or doubles games to drive a "bird" or shuttlecock over the net is considered the fastest game all over the world of sports. Therefore it's imperative that you choose the right kind of racquet based on your skill level so you don't ruin the experience of playing the game. To choose the right kind of racquet, here are some factors you need to consider: frame construction, grip size, balance and string configuration.

Step 1 

First up is frame construction. According to Hart Sports New Zealand, the most affordable types are made from steel but they do come heavy. Lightweight aluminum rackets offer more control while graphite models are the lightest and should give off excellent speed, handling, and control. Experienced players will find graphite rackets fit for them while beginners ought to start with steel or aluminum.

Step 2 

Grip size is also an essential element to the game. Make sure your hand fits around the handle of your racquet choice perfectly by trying it out before you make the purchase. Some shops will give you size measurements advice and letting you try different grip sizes of the same racquet. When in doubt, go for a smaller grip size that you think you need. This is because you can simply add overgrips to increase the size overtime if you find the handle too small for comfort.

Step 3 

Balance as well as comfort and fit are also of prime importance. Make sure you visit local badminton clubs to try out several racquet brands to see how you and your racquet fit each other.

Step 4 

For string tension, new players need relatively low tension ranging from 15 to 22 lbs. This amount of tensions gives in to every strike, giving you more power. More advanced players who already have their wrist-power already developed will like a 22 to 28 lbs. racquet which gives more accuracy and control.

Step 5 

PVC-coated steel strings are the strongest type of strings by their responsiveness is sometimes too low for experienced players. Nylon strings are more likely to break but they do have a higher level of response which allows for more control.

Step 6 

The shape of the racquet head is also a factor. KK Racket Exchange Company says that isometric heads feature a relatively square shape thereby increasing the racket's "sweet spot". Oval heads have a smaller sweet spot but they do pack more power for seasoned players.

Step 7 

Finally, match shaft flexibility to your skill level. Stiff shafts provide better performances via control so they are fit for more advanced or professional players. Flexibility adds speed to every swing, creating more power so new players will definitely need more flexibility from their rackets to generate more speed and power while they are still on the learning curve.

Now, you know how to choose the best badminton racket for your game.