The Power Game
They are bold, they are brazen, they are beautiful and have carved their own niche. They have many things going for them; they like to be their own boss, stay ahead in the game and are already an inspiration for others at such a young age. RITZ meets some of Bengaluru’s most beautiful girls who are making waves not just for their flamboyance and charm, but also for their body of work in their respective fields.
BY NAMITA GUPTA
Gold at the Commonwealth Games and representing India at the Olympics, badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa is taking it all in her stride, one serve at a time.
Turning Point: I was always into sports which made my foundation strong. I performed well at the Junior levels and was en route to make it to the Senior Team. One of my biggest wins was winning the Commonwealth Games in 2010 (Gold Medal in Women’s Doubles with Jwala Gutta). That was followed by a Bronze Medal at the World Championships in 2011.
Motivational force: I started off playing for fun, mainly because I was super-energetic as a kid and my parents thought it would be best if my energies were transpired in playing a sport. That’s how they put me into playing Badminton. It interested me and as I started playing competitive Badminton in the State and National Levels and my performances kept improving. After which I made it to the Indian team and am currently representing India, internationally. I was Commonwealth Games 2010 Gold Medallist (Women’s Doubles and Team Event), World Championships 2011 Bronze Medallist in Women’s Doubles, Commonwealth Games 2014 Silver Medallist and represented India at the Olympics 2012 and 2016.
Position of Power: The practice keeps me busy and the sport takes me to places across India and abroad. I do take out time to unwind as a team and as an individual.
Challenges: In the initial days, my parents did all the struggling of handling my brother and me, putting us into sports and keeping up with the schedule needed for fitness sessions, practice and school. They are the main reason I’m here today.
Bengaluru Matters: The weather in Bangalore is one of the best! Also, it is the closest city to my hometown Coorg. Bengaluru has most of my closest friends, including the cats and dogs on all the streets where my homes here have been over the years.
