Saina Nehwal hits back at trolls after javelin comment
Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal recently faced criticism on social media for admitting she was unaware of javelin throw as a sport until Neeraj Chopra's gold medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The three-time Olympian made this remark during a podcast, sparking an online backlash. Some social media users compared her perceived lack of knowledge to actress Kangana Ranaut.
Nehwal's javelin comment sparks controversy
During the podcast, Nehwal stated, "When Neeraj won [the Tokyo gold in 2021], that's when I got to know there is such an event in athletics." This comment surprised many fans and followers, leading to swift responses on social media. Critics questioned how a prominent athlete like Nehwal could be unaware of a major Olympic event. Some even labeled her the "Kangana Ranaut of sports," referencing the controversial actress known for her outspoken views.
Nehwal responds to criticism on social media
In response to the criticism, Nehwal defended herself on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, "Thanks for the compliment... Kangana is beautiful... but I had to be perfect in my sport and I proudly achieved world number 1 and an Olympic medal in badminton for my country." She further added, "Again I will say this: 'Ghar pe bait ke comment karna easy hai, and sports khelna difficult.' Neeraj is our superstar and he made the sport so popular in India."
