This Hyderabadi girl is hardly 15, but she is already dreaming of winning an Olympic gold. No, we are not taking about Sania Mirza, but a new star on the Indian sports horizon. She is shuttler Saina Nehwal.
The 15-year-old created a sensation in badminton circles when she pulled of an upset victory over reigning and eight-time national champion Aparna Popat in the final of the Asian Satellite Championship in Delhi on Sunday.
The win wasn't totally unexpected as Saina had already provided enough indication of her calibre in recent times. But the fact that she won an international senior title in only her third appearance and beat Popat in their third meeting -- the last being the national championship final, which Aparna won in stright games, -- shows the energy level of a young girl waiting to explode.
"It is the best moment of my life. This is the first time that I have beaten her (Aparna). She has been the world number 27 and a victory against her is a great feeling," an ecstatic Saina said.
But Saina was modest to admit that Aparna was not at her best and she needs to improve on her game to play well consistently at the top level.
"Aparna was not playing well and making lot of mistakes and it gave me an advantage in the final. I need to improve my speed and stamina," said the teenager, who hails from the same city as tennis star Sania Mirza.
For almost eight years, women's badminton has been synonymous with Aparna Popat, who is a notch above her peers.
But few would have bet on a 15-year-old to take the mantle from the seasoned Aparna.
As a true champion, Saina is unwilling to rest on her laurels and has already set her goals.
"This year I want to win all the three nationals under-16, under-19 and the seniors. I have already won the under-16 and now I want to win the other two," said a confident-sounding Saina, who trains under two of the finest Indian shuttlers -- Pulella Gopichand and Mohammed Arif in Hyderabad.
Ask her about her dream and pat comes the reply from the Junior national champion: "I want to win an Olympic gold for India.
"I am working on my speed and fitness level. I want to play more international tournaments so that I can play against good players and gain experience and also improve my ranking."
So, do we have another Sania in the making?
"She (Mirza) is a good player. I would really want to work hard and become like her," quipped the chubby shuttler.
