Saina hopes to be injury-free in run-up to Rio

BENGALURU: World number 2 Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal wants to be injury-free in the run-up to the Rio Olympics. “Last time, I was very fortunate to get bronze medal. So, hopefully, this time, if I play, I hope to get at least one medal for the country. I hope to be injuryfree to participate in Rio Olympics,” Saina, who is recovering from a foot injury, told PTI in an interview here. She added, “I will be a proud moment for me to represent India for the third time.” Owing to the injury, Saina had pulled out of Badminton Asia Team Championships, and also exempted herself from participating in Lucknow Open and South Asian Championships. Asked whether Indians can expect a gold from her at Rio, Saina said, “Let us see, I cannot predict. I am not God to predict what I am going to get, but I will work hard, and will do my best.” Replying to a query, Saina said she took time off from some important tournaments because she would hardly get any chance to recover from injury post June. “I opted out from PBL and South Asian Championship, and also other tournaments, because I wanted to be fully fit by February. I knew I will not have time to recover post-June. I was completely out of shape … I am now playing better. Lets see how it goes about,” she said. Saina said she is using health apps to stay fit. “Fitbit is a very good app and important too. I use it while practising. For exercises, I use a few sports app. These apps help me stay fit.” Asked whether she looks at marriage as an inspiration or a stumbling block to achieve glory, Saina said, “For many, including our own Saina Mirza and Kim Clijsters, marriage could have been an inspiration to scale new heights in sports, but as of now, I have not given a thought to get married. (PTI)