Nehal Sisodia, a talented and determined Badminton Player, is steadily carving her path in the world of competitive badminton. Currently a student at Central Public Senior Secondary School, Udaipur, Nehal has already made her mark through consistent performances at district, state, and national levels. To further refine her skills, she is undergoing advanced training at the David Farid Badminton Academy in Bangalore, Karnataka.

The Initiation

Nehal’s journey into badminton began at the tender age of seven under the guidance of her mother, who herself was a badminton player. Badminton began as a casual hobby but soon became a deep passion for her. She later joined a local academy in Udaipur, where her skills were nurtured, and she began competing in district and state tournaments. Recognizing her potential, Nehal took a significant step forward by moving to Bangalore to train at a national level. This transition marked a turning point in her career, exposing her to rigorous training and higher standards of competition.

Gurus & Role Models

Discussing her mentor, Nehal shares that Coach David Farid is her trainer at the David Farid Badminton Academy in Hoodi, Bangalore, Karnataka. She describes him as India’s number one coach, who trains her exceptionally well and offers unwavering support. Nehal aspires to emulate his level of excellence and dreams of competing in international badminton tournaments. When it comes to her inspirations, Nehal says she looks up to Indian badminton star PV Sindhu and her coach, David Farid. She expresses a strong desire to play like PV Sindhu one day, admiring her style, dedication, and relentless effort in the sport. PV Sindhu’s achievements motivate Nehal to aim higher and push her limits.

The Talent

Speaking about her sport, Nehal explains that badminton is played in three formats: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, each representing a distinct category of play. Each format demands a unique strategy, skill set, and level of coordination, making the sport both challenging and exciting.

Achievements

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Nehal proudly shares that her dedication has translated into impressive achievements. She has secured multiple medals at the district level and emerged as an under-13 runner-up. Her growing expertise led her to win a silver medal at the state level, along with another silver in mixed doubles. She also clinched a gold medal in a doubles tournament. Her success continued as she won gold in the girls’ doubles category at the under-17 level. Further elevating her profile, Nehal competed in a national badminton tournament held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

A Bit More

Nehal also shares motivational words from her coach that resonate deeply with her. During challenging moments in a match, her coach reminds her that setbacks are part of the game and encourages her to strive harder next time. This perspective fosters continuous learning and growth, motivating Nehal to perform better in the future. Speaking about her disciplined routine, Nehal reveals that she wakes up at 4:00 a.m. Her first training session runs from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., followed by another session from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and then from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. She adds that her gym session runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and that she dedicates an hour—from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.—to her studies. The young athlete encourages fellow players to remain focused and consistent, emphasizing the transformative power of practice. She firmly believes that hard work is essential to achieving one’s goals. With heartfelt gratitude, Nehal Sisodia thanks her family, especially her grandfather, for their unwavering support in allowing her to pursue her passion. She shares that her grandfather is a great source of inspiration and often accompanies her to matches, cheering her on. She hopes to continue receiving the same encouragement in the future.