Raring to go get the Olympic medal: Jwala Gutta

A little over two years ago, in October 2013, a disciplinary committee instituted by the Badminton Association of India had recommended a life ban for shuttler Jwala Gutta. Also, last year when the Sports Ministry declared the list of athletes who would be provided financial assistance to help them prepare for the Rio Olympics under TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), Jwala's name was left out.So, her selection for Rio Olympics bears testimony to the shuttler's resilience and grit.
A RARE OLYMPIC FEAT
Jwala who earned the distinction of becoming the first female badminton player from India to qualify for two events at the Olympics — Women's Doubles with Ashwini Ponnappa and Mixed Doubles with V Diju — doesn't mince words when talking about the tumultuous relationship she shares with the Badminton Authority of India. "My critics had written me off two or three years ago and have been constantly undermining me over and over again. But I am still here, I am going to represent India at Olympics for the second time, and there is nothing that compares to this feeling!" she says, adding, "When a woman is independent or successful, not many people like it, especially, if she speaks her mind. For some reason, the world expects a woman not to have opinions, or to stand her ground when she believes in something. We are always expected to compromise or adjust. We live in that kind of a society. So it does feel good to prove my detractors wrong."
After making history by becoming the first Indian women to qualify for Olympics in 2012, Jwala and her doubles partner Ashwini Ponnappa are much more confident this time. "We knew that we were going to qualify, but an official confirmation always comes as an authentication of our belief," says Jwala, adding,
"We have been training hard under the supervision of our Malaysian coach, Tan Kim. The whole regime is more organised and we feel a lot more looked after personally. We needed this kind of personal attention. I have lost 12 kgs in the last three-four months and I am in a great form — physically and mentally — right now."
READY TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST
In the 2012 London Olympics, Jwala and Ashwini missed a quarterfinals berth by just one point. This time around the duo has left nothing to chance with their preparations. "Physically, all the contenders will be at the same level. The team which is strong mentally on that day will win. So we are focussing on our mental strength, our presence of mind... On every point, every rally, on every minute detail... not to panic and most importantly, work on our consistency," she says resolutely.
After their last Olympic outing Jwala took a sabbatical. And although Ashwini teamed up with another player, Pradnya Gadre, in 2013, once Jwala returned, the duo joined forces and have won a slew of titles ever since. So what is it between Ashwini and Jwala that works like magic on court?
"Both Ashwini and I have same kind of goals. We believe in ourselves, our skills and the sport. Ashwini has the right kind of attitude that syncs with me, I guess that works on the court. It’s the attitude that matters, that’s why we are still here. It's as simple as that," says Jwala.
DEEPLY (L)INKED: Jwala also has ‘love all’ tattooed on her arm ’cos the game starts with a score of 'luv all'
The shuttler who proudly flaunts her 2012 London Olympics tattoo, will "now be getting an upgrade". "My tattoo of the Olympic rings that has 2012 written on it, will now get the addition of 2016, as a celebration!" she shares.
NOT SUPERSTITIOUS
When it comes to pre-game rituals or even superstitions, Jwala has none. "I am not at all superstitious!" she says, adding, "I don't want anything to play with my mind during a game. So I prefer to not have any such rituals. What has to happen will happen, and everything really is all in our hands."
However, she considers having her "family and well-wishers around" as good luck charms. "My sister, mom or dad generally travel with me, and it gives me strength to compete when I am playing," she admits.
Jwala believes in taking both success and failure in her stride. "My dad once told me, 'Whether you lose or win, never get too excited or despair too much, because there is always the next time.' So that's been my mantra of sorts. The only thing we do post a win is go out for a celebratory dinner, that's about it," she reveals.
INDIA STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO
For the games in Rio, India is sending out a large contingent of athletes, but Jwala still asserts that a lot more needs to be done to improve the state of sports in the country.
"Despite a population of one billion we have just a handful of Olympic medals to boast of. There are a lot of reasons for why sports and sportpersons are struggling in the country. A lot depends on the competency of the governing bodies of sports in the country. Take cricket for example, it is played only in 12 countries, but BCCI is still the richest sports body. They must be doing something right. We could learn from them. As a sportsperson, I dream of seeing the day when I can help out budding sports stars of our country," she says, signing off.