Jwala, Ashwini hopeful about doubles entry in London Olympics – Badminton update
The female doubles experts of India, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa are hopeful that the country will successfully secure its berth in the Women’s doubles and mixed doubles events of London Olympics.
The female duo Jwala-Ashwini is in Olympic qualification race along with the mixed doubles team V. Diju-Jwala Gutta. The mixed doubles team holds the 16th spot while Women’s pair is standing at 20th place in the world rankings.
Only top 16 teams of the world will have the honour to be in the mega event so it is going to be do-or-die situation for both Indian pairs as they have only few tournaments left to elevate their current rankings.
The female doubles expert Jwala Gutta, who plays for both teams, is feeling the heat but she is confident to play vital role to escort her country to the Olympics.
She said, "The competition in doubles at the top level is very close and since I am playing in both the teams, it becomes tough sometimes. I am pretty hopeful that both the doubles pairs will qualify for the London Olympics."
Women’s doubles pair Jwala-Ashwini is looking to pocket maximum ranking points before the Olympic qualification period ends in May and they will become first doubles team of the country in the mega event if they make into Olympics.
The current season may not have seen the best of them as they had to face few early exits from several prestigious events in recent past but now the duo is in high spirits to display their elevated craft in coming badminton events.
The top female duo is scheduled to participate in the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) and the Indian Open. The other member of the duo, Ashwini Ponnappa stated that they are fully prepared to exhibit their prime skills to secure a spot in London Olympics.
She said, "Though there is a possibility that we may qualify even if we stay in the top 20, we want to give our best shot in the ABC and Indian Open and be absolutely sure of qualifying."
Their withdrawal from Australian Open shows that how seriously they are focused to make the best out of these last two chances.
The duo of Jwala-Ashwini is India’s biggest hope in the Women’s doubles event of the Olympics and whole nation want them to raise country’s flag like they did in the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.
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