Will have to maintain my fitness for London Olympics: Saina

HONG KONG - Saina Nehwal said her stupendous win in Hong Kong has further motivated her to achieve success at the 2012 London Olympics and for that she will have to be at the top of her her fitness.

Saina’s victory in the Hong Kong Super Series came after she beat fancied Chinese Shixian Wang, the Indian’s conqueror in the quarterfinals of the World Championships earlier this year.

Saina, who has never shied away from discussing her ultimate dream of winning an Olympic gold, feels the title has given her the confidence she needed before the mega-event in London.

“I can’t believe it. It a very good win for me. She (Shixian) has been in really good form this season.

“She beat me earlier in the World Championships so it was always going to be a tough match. With the win, I proved it is not impossible to beat the Chinese,” said an overjoyed Saina.

“The next year will be very tough. The first step is doing well in the Olympic qualifiers and then maintaining the fitness to excel in the Olympics.”

Saina said the win also be of some comfort after her disappointing Asian Games ouster last month where she was a strong medal hope, but returned empty handed, having lost to Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong in the quarterfinals. She avenged her defeat with a ruthless performance against Pui in the quarterfinals here.

“The win here is special since I was dissappointed after my quarterfinal loss at the Asian Games. I was focussed on this tournament and wanted to win it here.”

The Hong Kong tile, combined with her two super series title in Singapore and Indonesia this year, has brought her on the threshold of being the number one player in the world. She was also crowned the Commonwealth Games champion in New Delhi.

Sania said she never expected to reach so close to the top by the year-end.

“I did not expect I will get near to the number one position and now I am almost there. I had set a realistic target of being in the top five by the year-end. People used to ask me - when are you going to be number one? It is a time to enjoy.”

Saina recalled the moment when she had a first look at the glittering trophy while entering the court for the summit clash.

“When I entered the court today, I looked at the winners trophy and I loved it, especially the colour. I wanted it badly,” she said with a child-like glee.

The ace shuttler credited her coaches and parents for the memorable victory and said she wanted to rush back home to savour some home-made aloo paranthas.

“I want to thank my coaches and the physio for the effort they have put in. The credit for the win also goes to my mom and dad for their unconditional support.”

When asked about the first thing she will do after reaching Hyderabad, she said: “I am planning to gorge on some aloo paranthas as soon as I get back home. I just love them and my mom is aware of that. Let see how much I can eat.”