Jwala & Ashwini, where is the medal?

KYA HUA TERA VAADA...(What happened to your promise?), all Indian badminton fans should be singing this at present and dedicate it to our women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa. Why, you ask? Because their campaign at the 2016 Rio Olympics has come to an end.

For the readers: If you'll think we are quick to blame them, then we are not. Instead we are trying to hold them responsible for their words and statements.
Now let's rewind to know how their journey was together as a pair and we give them full credit and acknowledge them for their feats.

The pair rose to fame after they won Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi. From here on it was creating history as they were the only Indian pair to win a Bronze at the World Championships in 2011. In the following year the pair represented India at the London Olympics in the women's doubles category. They missed out on the quarter-final stage by a point. In 2014 the pair was part of the team that won first Bronze in Uber Cup and also finished with a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

2015 was the best year for them as they were the only Indian women's pair to win a Grand Prix title in Canada. They defeated the Dutch pair Selena Piek/Eefje Muskens (does it ring a bell?) in the final.

They then reached their career best ranking of No. 10. They were also in news for voicing out their disappointment of not being included in the TOP scheme (fund for those playing at the Olympics from the government). Both the shuttlers were very vocal about it.

They complained of not being given importance and attention even after winning titles for the country. They also asked for a specialist doubles coach who could train them and make them better at their game.  

What happened next is history! Their names were finally included in the TOP scheme and Malaysian Tan Kim Her was appointed as the coach for doubles.

So now one expected them to be the best as all their demands were provided. Whatever they asked for was necessary and they deserved it.

The fans have always supported the pair as Jwala/Ashwini are the only women's doubles pair who have done well for themselves and the country at a higher level.

The hopes and expectation from them was then to do well at the Rio Olympics. Ashwini was quoted saying,

"It’s great that our fans, coaches, family and friends have hopes in Jwala and me to do well at Rio 2016, which we, as a pair, are looking forward to doing well at, after firstly and most importantly qualifying for it," to Saddahaq.

Did they qualify? Yes they did, first step accomplished. Raring to perform at their second Olympics, they should have concentrated more on practising for it and their performance.

Why do I say that, because the year 2016 wasn't productive for them as they didn't win a single title. One thought they would claim the Canada GP once again but because of Ashwini's illness they had to withdraw from the tournament mid-way.

There is a difference in saying, 'We hope to win a medal' and 'Expect nothing but a medal from us'. I'm not questioning their ability or potential, I have always been supportive of them until now. But as an athlete you should understand that when you are not at your best, you should talk less and concentrate on being a better performer.

Jwala is known to be vocal about everything and anything.

"We hope for nothing less than a medal at the Olympics. We have been working really hard morning and evening, almost 8 hours a day. You know that is the aim; to win a medal for our country," Jwala said to her.yourstory.com.

What happened to that hope? It was crushed, all expectations washed away in just two matches in Rio. Statements like 'coming back with a medal, which is our dream and biggest goal', Jwala and Ashwini one should work very hard in order to achieve their dream.

They knew they will be playing against the best but Jwala/Ashwini sorry to say were at their least best.

I'm going to draw a comparison here between our doubles shuttlers who played at the Olympics. First timers Manu Attri/Sumeeth Reddy, they too lost and are out but we saw them fight against the top seeds unlike Jwala/Ashwini who looked clumsy and confused in their opening match against the Japanese.

I will give them credit for showing some effort in the second match against the same Dutch pair whom they defeated at Canada GP last year Selena Piek/Eefje Muskens. But the effort, Jwala/Ashwini, you'll should have put that since day one in your game and if you had we wouldn't have seen you'll lose so miserably.

What about the fans who had hopes and expectations, they will still support but Jwala/Ashwini you'll will be answerable because you said it, you'll promised us!

With a very heavy heart and a frustrated mind, I ask you,

"Where is the medal, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa?"