Jwala-Ashwini Aim To Break Into Top 10 Prior to The Rio Olympics
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa are ranked 13th in the world and are looking to win a second medal at World Championships in Jakarta.
Fresh from her triumphant exploits with senior partner Jwala Gutta in the Canadian Open, shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa today said the ace Indian doubles pair was now aiming to break into the top ten while qualifying for next year's Rio Olympic Games. (Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa Win Canada Open)
"For doubles, the top 16 pairs will qualify and we have to be in the top 13. Ideally we want to be in the top ten. The qualifying process started this May and ends next May. There are quite a few tournaments (left to qualify) but until the last moment anything can happen. It's still a long way to go," said Bengaluru-based Ashwini at a promotional event here today. (Jwala Gutta Seeks Government Support)
"When we qualified for the Olympics the last time (2012, London), we had to wait till the Indian open and had we lost in the quarters we would not have qualified," recalled the 25-year-old Ashwini.
Currently Jwala and Ashwini, who complement each other with their different areas of specialisation on the court, are ranked 13th in the world and their first major outing is next month's World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia where the pair wants to win a second medal, said Ashwini.
"I would love to win a medal at the World Championships. Yes, we have won a medal (bronze) earlier (in 2011 to create history). And now Jwala and I are working towards winning another medal," said Ashwini.
Ashwini welcomed the reported appointment of a specialised doubles coach, Malaysian Tan Kim, but said she wanted a separate camp for doubles players, to be held separately from those who play singles.
"I don't know the status (of the reported Badminton Association of India move to appoint Tan Kim). Of course it will help if we have a separate coach (for doubles is appointed), but a separate camp for doubles at a different centre will also help," she said.
"Jwala and I are training in different cities. We pay for all additional things like physio, trainer, nutritionist while all other singles have their own support team. It's very expensive."