Jwala Gutta's outspoken nature has often put her in a tight spot. She has been in the news for all the wrong reasons rather than for her victories.
Jwala Gutta's outspoken nature has often put her in a tight spot. She has been in the news for all the wrong reasons rather than for her victories. This time however, she made her racquet do the talking more than anything else.
Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa stunned top seed Singapore's Shari Shinta Mulia and Yao Lei 21-16, 21-19 in the women's doubles final to become India's first pair to win gold at the Commonwealth Games yesterday.u00a0
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"I am speechless. I have no words to express my feelings. I thank God, Ashwini, who played brilliantly and my coaches who supported us.
"It always hurt me when the media said that India was let down by doubles. Such statements make me emotional.
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"Now, I hope I have played well enough to shut up all my critics," said an emphatic Gutta. "I was never in doubt that I will win at least one gold here at the CWG and here I am. I am very happy for Indian badminton," she added.
The 23-year-old Ponnappa, who is believed to have the hardest smash in the world ufffd she registered a 260mph smash during the World Championships in Paris a couple of months ago, was also elated. "I have a good partner in Jwala who guides me often. I did not like being pushed into playing doubles, but in the last one year or so, I have really enjoyed myself," she said.
Respect
Ponnappa hoped this historic win would earn doubles players much-needed respect in India. "I hope that this victory will now bring equal attention and respect for the doubles events.
"The country must now build upon this win so that we become a force to reckon with in team events," said Ponnappa.
However, India's Indonesian doubles coach Atik Johari felt more needs to be done to become a world power. "I hope Gopichand and others will make sure that more young players are drafted into the game," said Johari.
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