India shuttlers creates history, books record Olympics berths

The Indian Badminton players created history by qualifying for the first time into four different categories in an Olympic calendar year. This will be the very first time when an Indian contingent will feature in Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed doubles in Olympics together. This was confirmed after the Indian Open Super Series event concluded on Sunday 29th April 2012.

For the first time in the Olympics history, Indian badminton team will take part in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events. In women’s doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa will be leading the Indian challenge, while in the mixed doubles; V. Diju will be partnering Jwala.

It’s a dream come true for Jwala Gutta who created history by gaining a direct entry into the London Olympics. Ashwini and Jwala have won a bronze medal in World Championships 2011 and Gold medal in Commonwealth Games 2010 and are surely a medal prospect for India. Mixed doubles team of Jwala and Diju are also keen to put on a good show during the Games.

Saina Nehwal, the young badminton sensation will be leading the pack and the country is expecting a medal from her. She might have lost in 2nd round in Indian Open but World No. 5 Saina has her eyes set on winning gold at London Olympics in 2012.

Parupalli Kashyap will be the Indian hope in Men’s Singles after he was able to make it to semifinals of Indian Open Super series. He just managed to sneak ahead of Ajay Jayaram in term of ranking points by making it to last four and qualifying for London Games. Kashyap lost to South Korean Wan Ho Shon14-21, 21-19, 16-21 in the semis; who eventually went on to win the Indian Open Super Series.

Indian Badminton Team for Olympics:

• Men’s Singles: Parupalli Kashyap
• Women’s Singles: Saina Nehwal
• Women’s Doubles: Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa
• Mixed Doubles: Jwala Gutta and V. Diju