Saina Nehwal, the renowned Indian badminton player, recently found herself at the receiving end of trolls who compared her to Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. The reason? A comment she made about Neeraj Chopra, the Indian javelin thrower who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
During a podcast, Saina admitted that she was unaware that javelin throw was a part of the Olympic Games until Neeraj Chopra’s historic win. This statement sparked a backlash from some social media users, who criticized Saina for her lack of knowledge about sports.
However, Saina was quick to respond to the trolls, stating that it’s easy to sit at home and criticize others, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become a successful athlete and win medals for the country.
Saina’s response is a reminder that success in sports, or any field for that matter, is not achieved overnight. It takes years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice to reach the top. And while it’s easy for armchair critics to pass judgment, it’s important to remember that the athletes who represent our country on the world stage are doing so with immense pride and dedication.
Saina’s journey to becoming one of India’s most successful badminton players is a testament to this. She started playing badminton at the age of eight and quickly rose through the ranks to become a national champion. She went on to win numerous international tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, and became the first Indian woman to reach the world number one ranking in badminton.
But Saina’s success did not come without its fair share of challenges. She has battled injuries, faced tough opponents, and had to make numerous sacrifices along the way. Yet, through it all, she has remained focused and determined, driven by her love for the sport and her desire to make her country proud.
In a world where social media trolls and armchair critics abound, it’s important to remember the hard work and dedication that goes into achieving success in any field. Saina’s response to the trolls is a reminder that we should celebrate the achievements of our athletes, rather than tearing them down with negative comments.
So, the next time you see an athlete representing your country on the world stage, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication that has gone into getting them there. And if you’re ever tempted to criticize them, remember Saina’s words: it’s easy to sit at home and comment, but playing sports and winning medals for the country is tough.