'I need to work on my physical strength and overall fitness'

Top doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta, who missed the Incheon Asian Games due to an injury, has said that keeping herself fit would be crucial for her to
prepare well for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 31-year-old Gutta withdrew from the Asian Games due to a knee sprain but followed it up by playing Super Series events in Denmark and France this month. 

"I need to keep fit and work on my physical strength and overall fitness. Otherwise I am happy with my performance.

"I will train with Ashwini (Ponnappa) to achieve consistency in our performance," Jwala said at the sidelines of a promotional event in New Delhi. 

"Since I am coming back from an injury, I have to take care and build my strength. After a certain age you have to take care of your body and train accordingly," said the 2010 Commonwealth Games doubles champion.

"Next year is very important and I am looking at participating in most of tournaments because my ultimate aim is Rio Olympics," she said. 

Asked about early exits from Denmark Open and French Open Super Series, she said she was not thinking much about those results. 

"Our performance in France wasn't too bad. We did pretty well," said Jwala, also a World Championship bronze medallist. 

Image: Jwala Gutta

Photo: Reuters