KOLKATA : The 25-year-old Manpreet Kaur had arrived in the City of Joy with an intention to impress three people. One was four-year-old daughter Jashnoor, who had no complaints for mom leaving her by grandma’s side, provided her mom’s face kept appearing on TV.
After a soggy evening at the Open National Athletics illuminated by her Olympic quota-winning performance, Manpreet fulfilled her daughter’s wish. She was mobbed by TV channels, vying each other for a clear shot. “Because of training and job, she misses me a lot. Now she is used to my absence, saying that all she wants to see is my face on television,” the elated athlete, apparently more tired of television interviews than the on-field action, said.
Employed with the Diesel Loco-modernisation Work in Patiala, Manpreet heaved the iron ball to 17.96m, exactly 50cm more than the mark of former national champion Harbans Kaur, in her second attempt. Harbans had set the mark in 1997.
Manpreet gave the credit of her success to husband-cum-coach Karamjit Singh. “I wanted to give a gift to him for taking care of my training so well. When my name was included in the national camp, I decided to train with him rather than going to the camp. I had faith in him and he guided me well,” she said.
Just before leaving for Kolkata, she had asked her mom to sponsor her trip, saying that she would put in a good performance. “Me and my husband’s salaries go in my training. When I am in need, I go to my mom or father. This time I cajoled mom to sponsor my trip, saying that I will put up a strong show. I am happy that I kept my words. I am happy that I could bring a smile on the faces of these three people,” she said with a smile.
This was Manpreet’s hat-trick of wins in Open Nationals. Her journey has been an eventful one. Just like her male counterpart Inderjeet Singh, who is also a left-hander, Manpreet has been having financial difficulties. Adding to the woes, she suffered an injury in her throwing shoulder.
Karamjit says it was one of the toughest periods in her career. While coming to Kolkata, Manpreet had set a target of 17.5m and with the overwhelming success of the strategy, she is gunning for better. “I am aiming to do 19-plus. It’s not that difficult. One good throw can change my life. I am hopeful,” she pointed out.
However, she maintained that the government has to come forward to support her financially. “Funds is a big issue. Without support, it’s difficult to continue.”
day one Results
Men: 5000m: 1 G Lakshmanan (Services; 14:00.77), 2 Suresh Kumar (ONGC; 14:12.73), 3 Kheta Ram (Services; 14:30.78; Women: 5000m: 1 OP Jaisha (Railways; 15:31.73), 2 L Surya (Railways 15:56.24), Swati Gadwe (Railways; 16:11.72). Shot put: 1 Manpreet Kaur (Railways; 17.96 NR, NMR), 2 Manpreet Kaur (ONGC; 15.03), 3 Ramanpreet Kaur (Punjab; 14.36). Long jump: 1 Shraddha Ghule (ONGC; 6.38m), 2 Mayookha Johny (ONGC; 6.34), 3 Tanjila Khatun (Railways; 6.27). Hammer throw: 1 Sarita Singh (Railways; 58.97), 2 Sonam (LIC 58.16), 3 Gunjan Singh (Railways; 54.43). High jump: 1 Sahana Kumari (Karnataka; 1.80), 2 Swapna Barman (ONGC; 1.75), 3 Mallika Mondal (Railways; 1.71).