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Indian eye: weightlifting & Judo
weightlifting |
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judo
Sushil is India’s flag-bearer
Jeev wins Scottish Open
Maken sticks to his stand on Kalmadi
Luis Leon Sanchez wins Stage 14
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Indian eye: weightlifting & Judo Will India’s weight be over?Ravi, Chanu aim to lift medal, spirits in London Gagan K. Teja and Vaibhav Sharma Success has no definitive shape. It has no known structure. But one thing that it has for sure is a method. You plan, you persevere and then with every bit of brain and brawn, those plans are put into practice. Hours spent, making mistakes, falling, getting up and trying. All of it just to make sure that when the moment of reckoning does arrive, you are ready. With your best form, your best shot and your best attitude. The weightlifting fraternity in India, hit by numerous dope-related cases in recent years, is trying to get back on its feet again. There is anxiety, but there is also hope. Not so much of a medal, as it might be of getting back into the fold of men's weightlifting, and trying to replicate Karnam Malleswari's bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic 12 years ago. K Ravi Kumar and Soniya Chanu are the protagonists in the men's and women's fields, respectively. They are representatives for a billion people, but medal hopefuls? The numerous scandals over the years have dented the image and morale of the sport. The London Games have been looked at as a chance of not just helping weightlifters find their feet in the international arena, but also of proving to the world that the performances in the earlier years were not dope-induced moments of fame. So how well-equipped and prepared are the Indian duo? NEED A LIFT!
Ravi Kumar, who will be competing in the 69kg category, has been lifting around 330kg during his build-up to the Games. And his target at the Games is around 335kg. But how does that fare in comparison to the best at the Games? At the Beijing Games, a lift of 348kg settled the quest for Gold, while the bronze medal was won with a lift of 338 kg. You don't need to be a mathematical genius to add up the numbers and figure out that Ravi's chances of even coming into medal contention are at best borderline. The world record in the 69 kg category is 357 kg. Moving on to Chanu, who plies her trade in the 48kg category, the gulf between her dreams and the reality at the London Games might be even bigger. During her training for the Olympics, Chanu targeted a total lift of around 175 kg. And even if she pushes it up by around 10-15 kg in London, she will be falling way short of the medal zone. In Beijing a 212kg lift sealed the Gold, and the bronze was settled at 196kg — a full 21kg more than what Chanu has been aiming at. Can she defy gravity, her own mental makeup and the odds at London? PAST TENSE!
Despite weightlifting being one of the few sports that produced an individual medal for India at the Olympic Games (Malleswari's bronze in Sydney), the sport has been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the years. There has been controversy regarding Indian weightlifters testing positive for banned substances in various international tournaments, which portrayed the country and its lifters in poor light. The biggest embarrassment came when two Indian women weightlifters — Sanamacha Chanu and Pratima Kumari — were caught in the dope net during the 2004 Olympics and sent back home. It was followed by Monika Devi's expulsion from the Indian squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. PRESENT PERFECT?
But to give credit where it is due, the weightlifters fought against all odds and it is their undying spirit that they have not only bounced back but also managed to clinch spots for the London Olympics. The last man to represent India in the Olympic Games was Thandaya Murthy Muthu, at Sydney 2000 in the 56kg weight category, finishing 16th. This time the responsibility rests on Ravi Kumar's shoulders. Sydney Olympics were also very special as it was the year when women's weightlifting was introduced in the Games and India won its sole medal in the sport, in the form of Karnam Malleshwari's bronze. Though Ravi Kumar and Soniya Chanu will represent India at London, one cannot ignore the contribution of the other team members. Notably, the Indian men. Their grit and effort was on display in April during the Asian Weightlifting Championships, a London qualification event, at Pyeongtaek in South Korea. Defying many gloomy predictions, they grabbed a spot by securing the overall fifth position in the championship. The women finished fourth to bag a spot as well. However, the IWF selection committee had a tough time but finally zeroed in on the names of Ravi Kumar and Soniya Chanu, based on their world ranking. While Chanu is ranked joint 10th in the latest rankings, Ravi Kumar is currently 12th. FEELING GOOD!
Talking to The Tribune, Hansa Sharma, the chief coach of the weightlifting team, was very positive about the London Olympics. She says the two lifters are exceptionally good and their dedication is beyond comparison. "They’re always yearning to improve. They are totally focused, you can safely say that they are both capable of bagging a medal," she says. Appreciating the lifters for their consistency, Ravi Kumar's personal coach DD Sharma says Indian lifters have never been in a better position before the Olympics. "Ravi has been working really hard and if he manages to lift his set target of 335kg, he will be in the medals race. Rest is in the hands of God. All we want is that they should improve their personal performance in the Olympics and make us proud," says Sharma. Succes can’t always be measured by medals. The burden of hopes is heavy, let’s hope the two can rise above it. weight lifting at London
Indian Angle
Format Each country is limited to 10 athletes (six men and four women) across all events. Each event features two types of lift. In Snatch, the bar is lifted from the floor to above the head in one movement. In Clean and Jerk, the bar is first brought up to the shoulders before being jerked over the head. Each lifter is allowed three attempts each at the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. The best lift in each is combined to determine the result. Chinese on top
Weightlifting was ruled by the Soviet Union before its fragmentation. China is the superpower now, having topped table at the last three Olympics Games. China won eight of the 15 gold medals up for grabs in Beijing 2008. In Ravi Kumar's event, the 69kg category, Liao Hui of China won the gold with a total of 348 kg. The world record is 357kg In Soniya Chanu's event, the 48kg, China’s Chen Xiexia won the gold with a total of 212 kg at Beijing 2008. The bronze went to a total lift of 196kg. The world record is 217kg. In London, the 19-year-old world champion Tian Yuan of China is the favourite. Titbits Harold Sakata, better known as Oddjob from the James Bond film 'Goldfinger', won a silver medal for the USA at the London 1948 Olympic Games. Women's weightlifting was introduced in the Olympics in 2000 Athens. The first woman to compete was 16-year-old Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea in 48kg. Excited and unnerved, she dropped her first snatch attempt at 45kg.
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K Ravi Kumar
Main achievements
Overwhelmed at the very thought of representing India at Olympics, Arjuna Award-winner K Ravi Kumar, who is presently with in the Indian Army, feels that it was a challenge that he had to overcome at any cost. "It's not about winning a medal but moving a step ahead and bettering one's individual performance," he says. "I have got this opportunity because of my fellow players and I have to now perform and live up to their expectations. Frankly, I am not thinking of a medal but want to ensure that I lift at least 335kg." Kumar began weightlifting in 2003 during a two-month summer coaching camp and instantly starting enjoying the sport. "I then decided to continue but the financial condition of my family was not very good and therefore I had to take up part-time jobs just in order to continue playing," Kumar says. "Thereafter, I joined the Sports Authority of India, Dhenkanal, in 2005." That move was really the turning point in his career. "It could be called the beginning of my career, for after that I won numerous medals in various national and international championships," Kumar adds. "These include the gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where I created five new Commonwealth games records." Finally, after years of hard work, fame and fortune were his. "But this success has not come easily. I had worked really hard for it and I know that to rise in life, I will have to continue to work hard," he added. As for London, Kumar says he's trying his best to be ready when the time comes to perform. "Right from interacting with coaches to reading books, collecting study material and watching videos, I am trying to learn from anything and everything that comes my way," said Ravi. |
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N Soniya Chanu
Main achievements
Won the silver medal in 2010 Commonwealth Games at New Delhi Won the gold medal in 2009 Commonwealth Championship Won the gold medal in 2011 Commonwealth Championship She doesn't wish to look too far ahead, for she knows that's a sure way to add to the pressure on her. "Reaching the Olympics is not child's play. I have worked really hard for years together and have finally got this opportunity. Now, I just hope that years of hard work will pay off," she smiles. One source of strength for her is her belief in God - that belief tells her that with God's will, nothing is impossible. "I am sure He has already decided what is best for me but is just waiting for the right time to let me have it," she says. "But that doesn't mean I will leave everything on destiny. God also helps those who help themselves!" |
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Lone judoka Garima aims to stun the world
Gagan K. Teja
All was going 'well' until her father decided to channelise her energies into something more concrete. And what started as an evening hobby at the Kailash Prakash Stadium in Meerut, turned, with time and countless hours, into an obsession. An obsession that she was extremely good at. Garima had found solace in judo, and India was about to unearth a talent in her. Under the tutelage of SAI coach Jeewan Sharma, who noticed her energy during a routine bout and was quick to realise her potential, Garima grew into a judoka who created a flutter with consistently strong showings. It came as no surprise to anyone when she was selected for the Junior Asian Championship at the age of 14 years in 2004. In the same year, she got selected for the Commonwealth Judo Championship that was held in New Zealand — her first senior-level international tournaments. She, thus, defied the conventional road, by first competing in a senior international tournament and then in a senior national championship. She ended end up competing in a senior international tournament even before making her bow at the senior nationals. She has been breaking a few barriers, apart from the occasional bone, and her morale is high ahead of the Olympics. "I will surprise my opponents at London and show to the world what I am made of," says Garima. She clinched crucial points after her consistent performance at various international championships, including the World Championship at Paris, followed by the World Cup in Warsaw and Asian Championship at Tashkent, thus becoming the only Indian judoka to make it to the mega event. Before this, two Indian judokas - Tombi Devi and Divya Sharma - represented the country in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but could not bag a podium finish. While this time Tombi Devi (48 kg) could not qualify for London, Divya has already bid adieu to the game. Garima now shoulders the burden of hope of a medal at the Olympics. Can her undying spirit help her sail through? The daughter of transporter Rajendra Singh and beautician Satesh Chaudhary, Garima has built a reputation for being a fearless and intelligent judoka. She has been training at the SAI centre in Patiala under the watch of Jeewan Sharma, who echoes her optimism. Sharma says that taking up boxing 12 years back has seen consistent improvement in her game. "Having won numerous medals at the national level in the past few years, there has been tremendous improvement in her," he says. "Be it skills, energy level, confidence or the ability to remain calm under pressure, Garima has mastered almost everything and the way she is performing these days, she can defeat anybody." About her preparations for the Olympics, Sharma says, "She has already played many international tournaments and has fought most of the opponents she will be up against at London. Therefore, there should not be much pressure on her. Also, her training in Germany and France just before the competition is helping her a great deal." Judo
The judo competition is from July 28 to August 3 Indian angle Garima Choudhary's event, the 63kg category, is on July 31 Format 14 weight categories, seven each for men and women. A limit of one judoka per event for each country. Japan is the the leading judo nation in the world, while China has emerged as a force to contend with.
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Sushil is India’s flag-bearer
New Delhi, July 15 Malhotra said Leander had carried the flag in an earlier Olympics, and was hence not considered, while Bindra and Vijender will have competitions a day after the opening ceremony, and therefore, they were also ruled. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a lead sponsor of the Olympic contingent, organised a farewell function for the penultimate batch of the Olympic contingent here this evening, and eight of them were given cash awards and mementos. They were V Diju and Ashwani Ponnappa (both badminton) and archery stars Laishram Bombayla Devi, Chekrovolu Swuro, Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Ray, Jayanta Talukdar and Deepika Kumari. Malhtora said the 81 sportspersons, who qualified for the Olympics, came through a difficult route, as the qualification process was very tough. He said once the players attained the qualification mark, the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association spared no effort to give them the best of training facilities and foreign exposure. Malhotra said the earlier practice of sending the contingent in one whole batch was dispensed with this time, as most of the sports persons were training at different parts of the country, and abroad, and therefore, the sportspersons were allowed to reach London at their convenience, without disturbing their training schedule. Malhotra said there was no fund shortage this time, as the Sports Ministry, various State Governments and the Corporate Houses, liberally financed the Olympic preparation of the players. Sports Minister Ajay Maken said if he would have his way, no sportsperson would have to struggle to eke out a living, as the Government will be formulating many schemes for their progress and welfare. He requested public sector undertakings such as ONGC, Railways, Air India and other major employers of sportspersons to give them timely promotions, and post them at their places of choices, and suited to their vocation. Maken also reiterated the fact that for the first time, India will be fielding their biggest contingent for the Olympics, and all those who have made the cut, came through the hard route of qualification.
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Inverness (Scotland), July 15 Jeev, who started the day way back in tied 16th spot, registered a bogey-free five-under 67 and moved into clubhouse lead. Then he waited for nine more groups to finish and found himself in a play-off with Francesco Molinari. The win was Jeev's fourth in an European Tour event. His earlier wins were Volvo China in 2006, Volvo Masters of Europe in 2006 and the Austrian Open in 2008. — PTI
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Maken sticks to his stand on Kalmadi
New Delhi, July 15 An unfazed Maken said that the sacked CWG chief should desist from going to the Olympics. "I have taken up the matter with the IOA. I have asked the IOA to speak to the IAAF and IOC and explain them the matter. He (Kalmadi) will nor be part of any official delegation,” Maken said. — PTI
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Don’t think there’s a ‘teesra’: Ashwin
New Delhi, July 15 "I don't think there's anything like 'teesra', 'chautha' or 'paanchwa' that exists! There are two basic deliveries - one that comes into the batsman and the one that goes away," the 25-year-old said nonchalantly, when asked whether he believes that something like 'teesra' exists as claimed by Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal. Ashwin was also dismissive about comparison with Harbhajan Singh. "I have never been bothered one bit about comparisons with Harbhajan Singh. I am completely focussed on my job, once I enter the playing arena. Nothing else bothers me. I believe that I do my job just like you journalists do your job," the talented Tamil Nadu off-spinner told PTI during an exclusive interview. Ashwin would say he has enjoyed being the leader of Indian spin attack. "Leading an attack for your country means a lot of responsibility. You have to perform consistently and keep the flag flying high. It's a challenge that I have always relished. I am looking forward to new season." The tweaker, who recently enjoyed a well-deserved break, said it has helped him rejuvenate and his primary aim will be to last the full season. "I don't want to think too far ahead about what I intend to achieve mentally. But it has been a good break and it has helped me to get fresh before the new season starts. I haven't worked on any specific technicalities." — PTI
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Luis Leon Sanchez wins Stage 14
Limoux, July 15 Green Jersey holder Peter Sagan came in second as he was 47 seconds behind Sanchez in crossing the finish line. Sandy Casar, Philippe Gilbert and Gorka Izaguirre came in third fourth and fifth, respectively at the end of the Stage. Earlier, Tour de France leader Bradley Wiggins took his yellow jersey into the Pyrenees as the peloton embarked on the first of three mountain stages likely to reshuffle the overall standings. As the riders set off on Sunday's 191-kilometer 14th stage between Limoux and Foix, Wiggins led fellow Briton and Sky teammate Christopher Froome by 2 minutes and 5 seconds. The stage features two major climbs and a technical downhill 25 kilometers from the finish that Vincenzo Nibali is likely to use to gain some time on Wiggins. The Sicilian climber sits third overall, 2:23 behind, and is now regarded by Wiggins as his main rival. — Agencies |
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Success has no definitive shape. It has no known structure. But one thing that it has for sure is a method. You plan, you persevere and then with every bit of brain and brawn, those plans are put into practice. Hours spent, making mistakes, falling, getting up and trying. All of it just to make sure that when the moment of reckoning does arrive, you are ready. With your best form, your best shot and your best attitude.
New Delhi, July 15
Number of competitors 260 
The 32-year-old Manipur lass N Soniya Chanu is all set for the London Games, burning with a desire to win a medal. "I am leaving no stone unturned to ensure a medal for India," she says. "The training is going good and if I'm able to lift the same weight at the Olympics as I am lifting in training, the chances of a medal will be high. I am doing my bit and the coaches are exerting a lot to ensure than we convert this opportunity into a medal. I am just keeping my fingers crossed."
What do people do at the tender age of 10? Make paper ships, play ball games, live as per the rules, right? But Garima Choudhary, at that very age, was already getting a 'kick' out of a punch. A brat from the beginning, Garima was a regular in all the fights around her Meerut house.
Number of competitors 386
Victoria sad about Beijing