New Delhi, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : Jwala Gutta is recognized as one of India’s premier badminton players. She has represented the country on various international platforms in both mixed and women’s doubles formats, earning medals along the way.
Born on September 7, 1983, in Wardha, Maharashtra, Gutta has a diverse heritage; her mother is of Chinese descent while her father hails from a Telugu background. Her badminton journey began at the young age of four when her father introduced her to coach S. M. Arif, marking the start of a remarkable career.
Gutta is well-known for her aggressive playing style, particularly at the front court, while her powerful smashes from the back court have become her signature. Her exceptional drop shots have also contributed to her success.
A fourteen-time national champion, Gutta initially partnered with Shruti Kurian but found greater international success alongside Ashwini Ponnappa. The duo became a formidable pair, consistently ranking in the top twenty of the BWF World Rankings, reaching as high as number 10 in 2015. Notably, Gutta is the first Indian badminton player to qualify for two events at the Olympics: women’s doubles with Ponnappa and mixed doubles with V. Diju in London.
Gutta has played a pivotal role in popularizing badminton among young girls in India. Her accolades include a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2011 World Championships, a gold medal in women’s doubles, and a silver in mixed team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, as well as a silver medal in women’s doubles at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She also secured a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Championships held in Incheon.
Her achievements extend to the South Asian Games, where she won gold in women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and women’s team events in 2004 and 2006. Gutta and Diju made history in 2009 by winning the Chinese Taipei Open, becoming the first Indian pair to claim a Grand Prix Gold event. Additionally, she earned a historic bronze medal at the Thomas and Uber Cup held in New Delhi in 2014.
After retiring from badminton in 2017, Jwala Gutta was honored with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India for her contributions to the sport.
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