Indian young paddler Suhana Saini aims to win an Olympic medal for the country in future

Indian talented paddler Suhana Saini aims to make it to the senior Indian team and is putting the hard yards to achieve that feat before the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham this coming July.

“I have just moved up from the U15 to U19 category. I want to get into the top four in the world in the U19 category. And yes, I hope to make it to the senior India team before the Commonwealth Games. There will be nothing like it,” said Suhana Saini, a Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development group athlete.

The 15-year-old topped Group 4 with four successive wins, as she did not even drop a single set to her journey to the quarterfinals where she posted a 3-0 victory over Farida Badawy of Egypt. Saini faced Romania’s Elena Zaharia in the semifinals and the youngster started very strongly by winning the first set. However, the Romanian came from behind to trump Saini and even went on to lift the title in the finals.

Saini who is born in Rohtak trains with former India international R Rajesh in Chennai. She acknowledged the support that she received from Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme in her development. “Sports Authority of India has approved our requests to support us to compete in more international events. We’re getting more exposure and getting used to international players. Khelo India Scheme, too, has immensely benefitted me in terms of training, fitness and nutrition. It’s helping a lot,” she said.

Saini who bagged the bronze medal recently will now shift her focus to her Class 12 exams this year. She has been watching ‘The Good Doctor’ during her time in Tunis. But the youngster hs lofty aims of winning an Olympic medal for India in future. “Earlier, my goal was to play the State Championship and then the National Championship in my age categories. Then, after winning the National title, I went to compete in international tournaments. Now, I want to get better. Training never stops. I want to compete and win a medal in the Olympic Games,” Suhana Saini added.

Saini follows Indian veteran paddler Sharath Kamal and calls him her idol. She is intrigued by his attitude and routined mentality that has helped the experienced paddler to achieve such accolades.  She is also a fan of Manika Batra’s fighting spirit.