New Delhi: Gearing up for the fourth Commonwealth GamesIndia’s doubles exponent Ashwini Ponnappa Now a different player from the 19-year-old, who claimed a historic women’s doubles gold on debut 12 years ago.
What’s still left, though, is his roaring smashes that keep searching for his mark, his ability to read his opponents’ serves and returns, and his hunger to win.
And now, after five Commonwealth Games medals including two gold, one World Championship bronze and two Olympic appearances, the 32-year-old from Coorg is all set to make another splash. Birmingham GamesFrom 28 July.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs over the years. I have changed a lot in 10 years, improved by leaps and bounds, now I have a lot of experience behind me and it feels great to be in the Commonwealth Games team again ,” he told PTI during an interview.
“I mean, looking back in 2010, it all started there and it was very new for me. Winning gold was a great moment. I would really like to relive that moment.”
Ashwini along with Jwala Gutta earned India’s first women’s doubles gold medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, where the team also claimed a silver. Four years later, the duo won an individual silver.
However, the last edition in Gold Coast is something that holds a special place in his heart, as he was instrumental in leading India to its first mixed team gold.
“In 2018, Sikki and I won bronze but this was the first time we got a team gold which was a great feeling. This time the challenge is different. I am playing mixed doubles and not women’s doubles, but I am up for it. I’m ready for it.”
In the last three editions, Ashwini won a medal in the women’s doubles, but this time she could not qualify after losing the final in the selection trials to her women’s partner N Sikki Reddy following an injury.
“There was a mixed feeling, this was our 16th match and it takes a toll on the mind and body. It happened that before the final, Sikki had a tear in his stomach. So there were a lot of factors that we couldn’t play. Our best So yes, it was disappointing.
“But again I am happy that me and Sumeet won all the matches. We were playing three matches in a day. It is not easy to stay motivated for every match because we are playing a lot of them. I was lucky that I Got out. Tested without injury.”
So how optimistic is she about winning a medal in mixed doubles?
“It’s going to be tough. All the teams have a very good mixed doubles pairing. So it will be challenging but also rewarding because they don’t know how me and Sumit play. We started a few months back.
“So it can have the right attitude with the experience we bring and if we execute our game plan well, it can be fatal.”
Ashwini along with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy played an influential role in helping India win its first mixed team gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Games.
However, with Satwik creating a formidable World No 8 parade alongside Chirag Shetty, it was difficult to concentrate on the two events and hence decided to part ways.
“Me and Satwik did really well but then he wanted to focus on men’s doubles and not be able to play in all events and that is understandable. So I needed someone who could play in all events. So Sumit and I started pairing up.
“We played about five events in 2017 too, but the coach wanted me to pair with Satwik and we scored great runs. Sumeet is also a fighter. He is not someone who goes out in fear.
“But it’s an isolated event, it comes every four years, so I’ll insist on enjoying myself and not being under pressure.”
He was asked whether India is a strong contender to retain the mixed team gold.
“We have a strong team with Srikanth, Lakshya, Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag in good mental condition,” said Ashwini.
“In a team event, anything can happen. In 2018, we beat Olympic silver medalists while Srikanth beat Lee Chong Wei, so it’s important not to take it easy, just make sure we’re on track .
“A team event is different from the regular world tour events that we travel together because all are focused on individual performances. But in a team event, it is about doing a lot of things together, if one has to sit down. So there are no hard feelings on the bench.”
At 32, one might think that the 2022 CWG could be her last but Ashwini is not looking too ahead.
“I’m not looking much ahead. I’m taking small steps. I still hope to achieve something good should come my way. I know it’s going to be harder and harder, but right now, I’m just Focusing on Birmingham,” he signed off.
What’s still left, though, is his roaring smashes that keep searching for his mark, his ability to read his opponents’ serves and returns, and his hunger to win.
And now, after five Commonwealth Games medals including two gold, one World Championship bronze and two Olympic appearances, the 32-year-old from Coorg is all set to make another splash. Birmingham GamesFrom 28 July.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs over the years. I have changed a lot in 10 years, improved by leaps and bounds, now I have a lot of experience behind me and it feels great to be in the Commonwealth Games team again ,” he told PTI during an interview.
“I mean, looking back in 2010, it all started there and it was very new for me. Winning gold was a great moment. I would really like to relive that moment.”
Ashwini along with Jwala Gutta earned India’s first women’s doubles gold medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, where the team also claimed a silver. Four years later, the duo won an individual silver.
However, the last edition in Gold Coast is something that holds a special place in his heart, as he was instrumental in leading India to its first mixed team gold.
“In 2018, Sikki and I won bronze but this was the first time we got a team gold which was a great feeling. This time the challenge is different. I am playing mixed doubles and not women’s doubles, but I am up for it. I’m ready for it.”
In the last three editions, Ashwini won a medal in the women’s doubles, but this time she could not qualify after losing the final in the selection trials to her women’s partner N Sikki Reddy following an injury.
“There was a mixed feeling, this was our 16th match and it takes a toll on the mind and body. It happened that before the final, Sikki had a tear in his stomach. So there were a lot of factors that we couldn’t play. Our best So yes, it was disappointing.
“But again I am happy that me and Sumeet won all the matches. We were playing three matches in a day. It is not easy to stay motivated for every match because we are playing a lot of them. I was lucky that I Got out. Tested without injury.”
So how optimistic is she about winning a medal in mixed doubles?
“It’s going to be tough. All the teams have a very good mixed doubles pairing. So it will be challenging but also rewarding because they don’t know how me and Sumit play. We started a few months back.
“So it can have the right attitude with the experience we bring and if we execute our game plan well, it can be fatal.”
Ashwini along with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy played an influential role in helping India win its first mixed team gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Games.
However, with Satwik creating a formidable World No 8 parade alongside Chirag Shetty, it was difficult to concentrate on the two events and hence decided to part ways.
“Me and Satwik did really well but then he wanted to focus on men’s doubles and not be able to play in all events and that is understandable. So I needed someone who could play in all events. So Sumit and I started pairing up.
“We played about five events in 2017 too, but the coach wanted me to pair with Satwik and we scored great runs. Sumeet is also a fighter. He is not someone who goes out in fear.
“But it’s an isolated event, it comes every four years, so I’ll insist on enjoying myself and not being under pressure.”
He was asked whether India is a strong contender to retain the mixed team gold.
“We have a strong team with Srikanth, Lakshya, Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag in good mental condition,” said Ashwini.
“In a team event, anything can happen. In 2018, we beat Olympic silver medalists while Srikanth beat Lee Chong Wei, so it’s important not to take it easy, just make sure we’re on track .
“A team event is different from the regular world tour events that we travel together because all are focused on individual performances. But in a team event, it is about doing a lot of things together, if one has to sit down. So there are no hard feelings on the bench.”
At 32, one might think that the 2022 CWG could be her last but Ashwini is not looking too ahead.
“I’m not looking much ahead. I’m taking small steps. I still hope to achieve something good should come my way. I know it’s going to be harder and harder, but right now, I’m just Focusing on Birmingham,” he signed off.