New Delhi: Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal and husband Parupalli Kashyap, who is also a top former shuttler, have announced their decision to part ways mutually.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Saina shared the personal update that has taken the sporting world by surprise.
“Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other,” Saina, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, wrote.
A standout moment came in 2019 when Saina, under Kashyap’s guidance, defeated an in-form PV Sindhu at the National Championships, showcasing her resilience and their effective collaboration.
In her Instagram story, Saina wrote, “Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other. I’m grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy during this time.”
Saina Nehwal made history as the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. This achievement placed her alongside weightlifter Karnam Malleshwari as one of only two Indian women to win an Olympic medal at the time.
Saina’s illustrious career also includes two World Championship medals (one gold and one silver), three Commonwealth Games gold medals (singles in 2010 and 2018, and mixed team in 2010), and two Asian Games bronze medals (2014 and 2018). In 2015, she became the first Indian woman to achieve the world no. 1 ranking in badminton.
However, Saina’s results were inconsistent in her later years, with her last professional match played in June 2023. While she has not officially announced her retirement, her focus has shifted away from competitive play.
Parupalli Kashyap is one of India’s finest former badminton players. With a career-high world ranking of 6, Kashyap showcased his prowess by winning the men’s singles gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a bronze in the 2010 Delhi edition. After retiring from competitive play, Kashyap transitioned into coaching.
