Nehwal became the first Indian to reach the quarter-finals in Olympic badminton in August but missed a semi-final spot when she blew an 11-5 lead in the decider to go down to eventual bronze medallist Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia.

"It was a big disappointment but I told myself I'd have one or two more Olympics if I play well and to do that I have to win against top players and I've been trying to do that," the 18-year-old said.

Photographs and Text: Reuters