Ashwini Ponnappa

Ashwini Ponnappa Machimanda is a distinguished Indian badminton player who won her first national title in 2004 in the sub-junior girls' doubles category. She continued to dominate the national scene, clinching titles in the sub-junior girls' doubles in 2005, and the junior girls' doubles in 2006 and 2007. Her talent was not confined to the national level; she also excelled internationally, winning gold medals in mixed doubles and team events at the 2010 South Asian Games. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, she created history with Jwala Gutta by winning India's first gold medal in the Women's Doubles event, a victory that catapulted them into the limelight.

Representing India in both women's and mixed doubles disciplines, Ashwini has achieved considerable success alongside her long-time partner Jwala Gutta. The duo has won numerous medals, including a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and bronze medals at the Uber Cup and the Asian Badminton Championships. They have consistently ranked among the top 20 in the BWF World Rankings, reaching as high as No. 10. Their partnership reached its pinnacle in 2011 when they won a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, making them the first Indian pair and women to secure a medal at this prestigious event.

Ashwini's career continued to flourish as she competed at the 2016 Olympics and played a crucial role in India's mixed team gold medal win at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She also secured a bronze medal in the women's doubles with N. Sikki Reddy at the same event.

In 2011, Ashwini and Jwala etched their names in the history books by becoming the first Indian pair to secure a medal at the World Badminton Championships.