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India’s ace shuttler and former World No. 1 Saina Nehwal has been nominated by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the Woman Player of the Year Award, 2015. Nehwal has had a terrific year, having gained the no.1 ranking in the world for a brief time.
Currently ranked no.2 in the world, she will be competing for this award with top-ranked Carolina Marin of Spain, 2014 winner Zhao Yunlei of China and Zhao’s compatriot, Bao Yixin.
The winners of the award would be announced at the Gala Dinner and the players’ reception of the Dubai World Superseries Finals on December 7.
Saina created history by becoming India’s first number one ranked woman badminton player and enjoyed a consistent run at the helm of affairs. She reached the finals of the BWF World Championships, the All England Open, and the Thaihot China Open. She also won the home leg of the World Superseries tour in Delhi.
The world number one Carolina Marin of Spain has had a perfect run, though, throughout the year. She won the All England Championship in March and the Hong Kong Open in November. She also clinched three World Superseries titles and also defended her World Championship title.
Zhao was the premier woman doubles player of the year, also winning six Mixed Doubles Superseries. She won eight Superseries titles in 2015, which includes two World Championships – in the Women’s Doubles and the Mixed Doubles category and the Japan and Hong Kong open titles in Women’s Doubles category.
Bao Yixin has been an all-round performer, winning the Mixed Doubles title at the All England Open and the India Open. She also reached the finlas of the World Championships, the Australia Open and the Hong Kong Open.
As for the Male Player of the Year title, the world number one Chen Long of China, who won the title last year, is in the running again with his doubles partner Zhang Nan, as are the Korean duo of Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong.
