With the last day for firming up a place in the Indian contingent for the London Olympics fast approaching, the aspirants in badminton are gearing up to give their best in the remaining two events before the May 3 deadline.
The well-prepared Indian team is set to make the most of the two events this month — the Asian championship (from April 17 to 22 at Qindao, Shandong, China) and Yonex Sunrise India Open (from April 24 to 29) here.
World No. 5 Saina Nehwal is a certainty for the Olympic Games (July 27 to August 12) but there is still some work to be done for G. Jwala in women's doubles and mixed doubles to make it to London. There will be a toss up between Ajay Jayaram and P. Kashyap to be the lone Indian in the men's singles draw. However, there is no hope of an Indian entry in the men's doubles.
The World championship bronze medallists Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa are placed 20th in world rankings. In mixed doubles, Jwala and V. Diju are ranked 16th. Sixteen pairs, not more than two per country, spread over five continents form the field in the doubles events of the Olympic Games.
“We need to win at least the opening round in both the Asian championship and India Open to have a good chance of qualifying in the two doubles events,” said a confident Jwala without looking too far ahead.
“I stayed away from the Australian Open to prepare (for three weeks) for these two events. Mainly, I worked with Ashwini on being consistent — trying to keep our cool when trailing, playing all the strokes even while playing the big points and not get overly defensive and so on,” explained Jwala.
Ashwini, looking and sounding increasingly confident, too, was optimistic of making the grade. “We are well prepared (under coach Mohammad Arif and partly with Gopi Chand) and know the kind of opposition up against us. Having beaten some of the strongest names in doubles, we are confident of doing well in these two championships.”
In the Asian championship, Jwala and Ashwini start their campaign against Indonesia's Vita Marissa and Nadya Melati. In mixed doubles, the duo of Jwala and Diju will be up against another Indonesian pair, Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili.
Saina, oozing immense self-belief after defending her Swiss Open title, was expecting a series of tough matches in the upcoming events. “After the Swiss Open my confidence is really high and I am prepared for the challenges ahead. In the Asian championship, I am drawn to play China's Chen Xiao Jia in the second round (after expectedly getting past Japan's Kaori Imabeppu in the first). Each match is tough and I have to play my best to progress,” said Saina.
Gopi kept his hopes on Saina the duo of Jwala and Ashwini. “The ladies have worked hard and know what is at stake. I also understand that the competition too has become tougher. In all other sections, not much is expected,” said the National coach when asked about the medal-prospects from the continental championships where India is taking part in all sections.