Jwala, Ashwini perfect foil for each other

NEW DELHI - Ashwini Ponnappa is soft-spoken, mild mannered, girl-next- door. Jwala Gutta is outward, aggressive and never shy of speaking out her mind. These contrasting traits may not be ideal for them to team up and form a gold medal-winning pair in sports.

The two did just that Thursday and made history becoming the first Indian badminton pair to win gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Jwala and Ashwini shocked top seeds Singaporean Yao Lei and Sari Shinta Mulia 21-16, 21-19 for the top honour. Within a short time, the two have started playing as a team and they are making waves at the international level — and the chemistry they share is the secret of their success.

“There are a lot of things common between us. We have similar tastes. We like to hang out together. We like similar kind of movies. We really get along well. It helps to gel as a team,” said Jwala, 27, and the senior of the two.

Not long ago Jwala had a pretty decent combination with Shruti Kurian while young Ashwini, 21, was pairing up with Nitya Sosale, but not with any good results to show.

“I and Shruti were world no 21, but we were not moving anywhere and got stagnated. I thought it will be better for us to part and look for other partners. I knew Ashwini. She is talented and very hard hitter of the shuttle. I thought we will be a good combination,” Jwala said.

“I asked Vimal (Kuamr) sir and he said it would be a great idea,” Jwala said.

Ashwini, who belongs to Kodagu in Karnataka, has learnt her badminton skills from legendary Prakash Padukone at his academy in Bangalore.

“We complement each other and that’s what shows on the court,” Ashwini said.

Vimal, who advised Jwala to team up with Ashwini, was ecstatic.

“I am very happy today. Ashwini deserved this medal,” Vimal told IANS.

“She came to our academy 10 years ago and we have groomed her. She is very hard working and patient.”

“Jwala is of strong character. Ashwini is an attacking player. She is soft spoken girl, but on the court she is quite aggressive. Her strokes have that power. I knew they will form a good combination. Even Prakash was mild mannered but on the court he was different,” Vimal said

“Jwala has expreince on her side. She is the senior of the two and she knows what works well for the team.”

Vimal said Ashwini can be an equally good player in singles.

“At the national camp, she was told to concentrate on doubles. Lot of time she used to tell me that she wanted to play in singles. I told her to be patient and there are good coaches like (Indonesian) Atiq Johri and concentrate on Commonwealth Games. It has paid off. I feel she can still play in singles as well.”

Jwala dedicated her victory to coach S.M. Arif and her family.

“I owe my whole career to Arif sir. He has been a tremendous support. My family has always backed me. In fact, the entire team, Gopi (national coach Pullela Gopichand), our physio C. Kiran, deserve credit the way they have supported us throughout.”