At the 2008 Bulgarian Open in Sofia, Jwala Gutta achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the mixed doubles and women’s doubles titles at a Grand Prix-level tournament.
In the mixed doubles event, Jwala teamed up with V. Diju, and together they defeated the Indonesian duo of Fran Kurniawan and Shendy Irawati in a thrilling three-set match. The final score was 15-21, 21-18, 21-19, showcasing their resilience and tactical play to come back after losing the first set.
Later in the women’s doubles final, Jwala partnered with Shruti Kurien to take on another Indonesian pair, Shendy Irawati (who was part of the mixed doubles final) and Meiliana Jauhari. Jwala and Shruti won convincingly, with a score of 21-11, 21-19, demonstrating strong teamwork and technical skills to secure the title.
This double win at the 2008 Bulgarian Open showcased Jwala Gutta’s versatility and skill across both categories, marking her as one of India’s top badminton players. It also contributed to her international recognition and helped elevate Indian badminton’s status on the global stage.
