CHENNAI: Indians may have managed a rich haul in the ongoing Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Pune, but former weightlifting star and current mentor to the team, Kunjarani Devi, is not satisfied with their efforts.
“I’m not pleased with their performance, as the weights they are lifting are not up to the standards that we are striving to achieve,” said the women’s national coach.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was also unhappy with the slump in Indian weightlifting over the past decade. “After Karnam (Malleswari) and I, there hasn’t been anyone to give us much success. But I’m trying to help the current lot raise their standards, and also focusing on their technique,” she told Express.
With the World Championship starting in Houston on November 20, the Indians will reach 10 days early, and Kunjarani feels this is vital. “For any event, it is always better to reach early so as to get oneself acclimatised to the weather and conditions. Food can also be a decisive factor. In my experience, reaching in advance has always been useful,” she said from Pune.
With the event serving as selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the onus will on the lifters to raise their game. But the 47-year-old is not expecting too much. “I am expecting more from the women, especially Sanjita Chanu and Mirabai Chanu. Among boys, Sathish (Sivalingam) can be a surprise package, though he could find it difficult because of his ranking. I am praying to god that we do well, but we need to take it step by step. Conditions and competitions will also be a deciding factor,” the Manipuri said.
The Arjuna and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee reserved special praise for the two Chanu’s. “I expect lots from Mirabai and Sanjita, and I look after them personally. Since they are also from Manipur, its easier to communicate, and I make sure I spend time with them during camps, and we work on technical aspects. Not only them, I try and share my experiences with all lifters, be it boys or girls,” she revealed.
Another lifter, Poonam Yadav, too has done well in Pune, having bagged two gold on the third day of the championship, and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist is another that is one to look out for.
Having achieved much success herself, Kunjarani was of the opinion that there is a lot to be done if the lifters are to challenge at the international level. “Hard work, dedication and a strong mind are vital if they are to succeed. Also, more training and motivation to be the best are also key. If one is mentally prepared to take on any challenge, then the rest will fall into place,” she opined.
Just as wrestling, shooting and boxing have seen a big boom in recent years, maybe Kunjarani’s efforts will help lifting too come out of its slumber.
Wednesday’s medallists: Senior: Women: Punam Yadav (Gold, 63kg). Men: Vikas Thakur (Gold, 85kg), S Vishnukanth (Silver, 85kg). Junior: Girls: Punam Yadav (Gold, 63kg), Swapna Priya Baruah (Gold, 69kg). Men: Ragala Venkat (Gold, 85kg), Pardeep Singh (Gold, 94kg), Harsha Wadekar (Silver, 94kg). Youth: Girls: G Lalitha (Silver, 63kg). Boys: S Vishnukanth (Gold, 85kg).