Jwala Gutta focusing on fitness ahead of Olympics
Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa
Hyderabad - India’s ace shuttler Jwala Gutta on Thursday said she was focusing on her fitness ahead of the London Olympics.
“Right now I am focusing lot on my fitness because I will be playing two events,” said Jwala, who will be playing the women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Talking to reporters here at a promotional event, Jwala said she was happy and excited to represent the country in the biggest sporting event.
“Fitness is going to play a very important factor for me. I am working hard and doing good for now,” he said.
On the medal expectations from her, she termed it as an honour.
“Being doubles player expecting a medal from me itself is a big achievement. I will not take this as a pressure. I think it is a positive note. I always enjoy playing such big events. I am definitely going to do my best.”
The top badminton player will partner Ashwini Ponnappa in the women’s doubles and V. Diju in mixed doubles. Jwala and Ashwini had won the gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
To another query, Jwala said she try to keep unnecessary pressure away. “If I think about badminton morning to evening and even outside the court the pressure builds up automatically.”
“In such a big event you need to enjoy yourself and need to relax. It does not mean you need not work hard. You have to work hard and relax. Both are very important. Both go hand in hand,” she added.
Jwala said besides badminton, shooting offers medal hopes for India. “Gagan (Narang) is a friend. I am betting on him.”
She refused to comment on the ongoing row between tennis players Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.
“It is their personal issue. I can’t comment. It will be better for the whole country if they sort out their problem.”
When asked about the attitude of badminton association towards woman players, she said it did not matter.
“Things have been happening this way. If I win a gold medal or medal from Olympics I hope things will change.Let us not talk about negativity.”
She clarified that she had no personal grievance and that she is supporting tennis star Sania Mirza.
“There is nothing personal about it. Being a woman athlete I am supporting another woman athlete who is hurt and feeling bad.”