Tanisha aims to carry winning momentum with Ashwini

Tanisha Crasto (left) with Ashwini Ponappa. PIC/Badminton Association of India

India women's doubles badminton player Tanisha Crasto's big challenge is already upon her. She knows the upcoming few months are now the window of opportunity for her and partner Ashwini Ponappa, if they are to make the Indian team for the Paris Olympics this year.

They have had a stellar 2023, but they need to continue that winning momentum in these months. The two who started playing together last January, won three titles in 2023 - Guwahati Masters, Nantes International Challenge and Abu Dhabi Masters. Team Crasto-Ponappa were also runners-up at the Odisha Masters and Syed Modi International.

They now have approximately four months to qualify for Paris. The badminton qualification for the 2024 Games began last May and will continue till April 28 this year. The final eligibility list will be released two days after that door slams shut.

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Crasto said, "When we played four tourneys towards 2023 end, it was not just about winning, winning, winning. We just wanted to play our best, and see where it goes. Those wonderful results made it an achievement-filled 2023. Now, it is the Olympics which is on our mind, with consistency key for qualification. Our first three tournaments loom. We have the Malaysia Open [January 9-14 in Kuala Lumpur], India Open [January 16-21 in New Delhi] and Thailand Masters [January 30-February 4 in Bangkok]," explained Crasto, who is ranked at World No. 24 in the women's doubles.

Crasto, 20, said that Paris is their immediate aim, but they also want to do well at other big-ticket events like the Asian and Commonwealth Games too. "The wins last year have given me confidence that we can do much better in all upcoming tournaments," said the Dubai-born athlete.

Of her successful partnership with two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ponappa, 34, Crasto said, "Our partnership began at the start of 2023. Our good ranking, World No. 24, was not totally unexpected. In fact, I attribute that to our mindset after we started playing together which was ever onwards and upwards. Having said that, like all sportspersons, we have had hills [the good] and valleys [the bad] matches and patches. We have analysed and applied ourselves post losses, taken away positives from our wins and will continue doing so," said one half of the duo, who believe 2024 is the year of realising dreams and standing tall - as the Eiffel Tower.