2009 was the turning point for me: Ashwini Ponnappa

ASHWINI PONNAPPA is hopeful of winning a medal at the upcoming World Championship in the badminton doubles category along with team mate Jwala Gutta. According to Ashwini, her growth in success began only after 2009 when she teamed up with Jwala.

She also believes that the success behind their victory is that they share the same goals and ambitions, which is important as a doubles players.

"As doubles players it is very important that we as a pair have the same goals and ambitions, it is really important that you think alike and I think in that aspect Jwala and I are similar because we aim really high and believe in ourselves,"

Ashwini was talking at the Young Ficci Ladies Organisation event held in Hyderabad.

The recent success for them as a pair was winning the doubles title at the Canadian Open in July. Hard work is the only way to success, but for Ashwini it is not only about hard work,

"Hard work is really important but just working hard and not believing in yourself will get you nowhere to success at the international level."

In the doubles category one needs to have a great partner to really excel in the game and taste success. In that aspect 25-year-old Ashwini feels fortunate to have a partner like Jwala.

"The minute I partnered Jwala, I knew that I've found a partner on whom I could rely on and teaming with her I knew that as a pair we could do well as she had the same goals as me."

See the video below posted on Youtube by SportsGuerilla, where Ashwini speaks about her partnership and its importance.