Malleswari aims at 255 for Sydney repeat

She's been to motherhood and back and now Karnam Malleswari is aiming for a second Olympic medal. And, she says, she’s already moved to...

She’s been to motherhood and back and now Karnam Malleswari is aiming for a second Olympic medal. And, she says, she’s already moved to weights heavier than the 240 kg that brought her an Olympic bronze in Sydney.

‘‘I have been doing better than 240 recently. At the last trials held at Patiala a few days ago, I lifted 247kg. It’s especially good because I started lifting very recently, soon after becoming a mother,’’ Malleswari said.

However, given that the bar has been raised somewhat in recent times, even 247 might not put Malleswari in the medal range. Something she recognises. ‘‘To be in contention for a medal, I need to pick up over 250, maybe 255 or so. Over 255 should be good enough for gold. There is time, so I’m sure I can improve.’’

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One worry for top-flight Indian weightlifters at the moment is the much-delayed Afro-Asian Games (AAG), which will be held in Hyderabad between October 24 and November 1. While India will aim to field the best team, one eye also needs to be fixed on the Vancouver World Championships, beginning on November 14. The Indians must do well there, because points earned at that meet will go a long way in determining the weightlifting slots India get for Athens.

As things stand right now, neither team has been announced (see box). Malleswari, though, is clear about her preference: ‘‘The best players need to be sent to Vancouver, qualification for Athens will be my priority.’’

Malleswari also said that she is happy with the way training is going on at the moment, and said that the random dope tests being carried out by the Sports Authority of India and ‘‘some foreigners’’ will do the game good, as ‘‘there won’t be problems afterwards’’.

She added, ‘‘My practice is going well and I will have to keep at it with the same intensity if I have to win a medal in Athens. I think a gold can be within my reach if things go right. The WFI is also trying to bring in a foreign coach and doctor, which will help.’’

No teams named

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Though the Afro-Asian Games begin exactly 30 days from now, the team hasn’t yet been decided, nor has the team for the world meet two weeks after the AAG concludes. Weightlifting Federation of India secretary Balbir Singh Bhatia declared ‘‘there is no need to discuss it now’’, but there is a need for lifters to know their schedule. Two different teams need to be selected for the meets unless the WFI is willing to risk injury to leading athletes.