Jwala-Ashwini pair fetches bronze medal at World C'ships

The Commonwelath Games gold medallists gave a tough fight to fifth-seeded Chinese duo of Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei in the semi-final before losing the rubber 14-21 16-21 in 38 minutes last night at the Wembley arena.

However, Jwala and Ashwini achieved what no other Indian shuttler could do in the last 28 years, ending the country's medal drought in the flagship event.

The only other medal for India in the championship came way back in 1983 when Prakash Padukone bagged the men's singles bronze in Copenhagen, Denmark.

En route to the last four round, giant-killers Jwala and Ashwini had stunned second seeds Wen Hsing Cheng and Yu Chin Chien of the Chinese Taipei in the second round before disposing off 12th seeded Indonesian pair of Vita Marrisa and Nadya Melati in the quarterfinals.

However, in yesterday's semi-final, Jwala and Ashwini were slow in getting off the blocks as their Chinese opponents raced to a 6-2 lead before the Indian pair forced a comeback to level the scores at 8-8.