Jwala Gutta’s got the spark

The hype surrounding Saina Nehwal has diluted the ability of another potential world-beater.

Jwala Gutta's got the spark

The hype surrounding Saina Nehwal has diluted the ability of another potential world-beater.

Hyderabad-based Jwala Gutta may not be a favourite at the World Badminton Championship that gets underway today, but there is no denying that this tall, extremely fit beauty is capable of beating the best.

Gutta is seeded eighth in mixed doubles with partner V Diju.

While this left-hander delights badminton lovers with her aggressive play, it is her background that makes her so unique. Her great grandfather was a Chinese called Tseng, a journalist by profession. Chief editor of a Chinese newspaper in Singapore, he originally came from Tianjin city in China. But India's struggle for independence inspired a young Tseng to sail to India and meet Mahatma Gandhi in 1937. He stayed with the father of the nation for several months.

Gandhiji impressed
Gandhiji was so taken in by the man from China that he nicknamed him Shantidoot and called him Shanti for short. After Gandhi's assassination, Tseng returned to China, but came back in 1977 and stayed at Sevagram at Wardha where he translated Gandhiji's autobiography and other works in Chinese.

He died at Acharya Vinoba Bhave's ashram and left behind a granddaughter Yelan, who married Jwala's father in 1982.

"I have Chinese blood but I am total Hyderabadi. Though my mother could have gone back to China, she chose to stay here as an Indian national. This nation has given me everything," says Gutta, who is married to singles ace Chetan Anand.

Gutta's domination has been extraordinary two U-19 titles at the Nationals and then eight senior titles on the trot. Recently in the limelight for signing a lucrative endorsement deal with a Chinese sports manufacturer, she says, "I'm happy that we are finally being recognised the world over. Why else would a foreign company sign Chetan and me? But I will be happier if I do well in mixed doubles here."

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