Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto Qualify for Paris Olympics
Ashwini Ponnappa, a seasoned badminton player, faced skepticism after taking a break in 2022. Despite her continued training, many assumed she had retired. After a successful partnership with Jwala Gutta, Ashwini teamed up with N Sikki Reddy for six years, but they failed to secure a title.
In December 2022, Ashwini and Tanisha Crasto, a rising star, decided to join forces. For Ashwini, it was a final chance at glory, while for Tanisha, it was an opportunity to learn from an experienced player.
Their initial tournaments were disappointing, but they persevered. In June 2023, they won the Nantes International Challenge, marking a turning point. They reached four more finals, winning two and becoming India’s No. 2 women’s pair.
Their success was fueled by Tanisha’s explosiveness and Ashwini’s power. They also upset top 10 pairs and overtook Treesa Jolly and P Gayatri Gopichand as India’s No. 1.
On Tuesday, they qualified for the Paris Olympics, Ashwini’s third and Tanisha’s first. Their journey has been marked by small wins that have culminated in a major achievement.
Ashwini credits their success to their ability to adapt their game style during matches. They also acknowledge areas for improvement, such as becoming more systematic in their attack.
Ashwini is enjoying this stage of her career, finding motivation and happiness in her work. The pair will continue to train and compete in preparation for the Olympics.
