Hyderabad: Seventeen years ago, Karnam Malleswari lifted the weight of the nation by hoisting 240 kgs at the Sydney Olympics to become the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. On Wednesday, the 2000 Games bronze medallist threw her weight behind the Commonwealth Games bound Indian contingent and wants them to go for gold.
“India has always dominated the Commonwealth Games (winning 75 golds and 215 medals overall in the last three editions), where competition is not so stiff as compared to the Olympics and Asian Games. However, hosts Australia could be a major threat this time around,” the former weightlifter told reporters at the #RangDeTiranga initiative by Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in collaboration with Telangana Sports Journalists Association, a rallying cry that sends best wishes to India’s Commonwealth Games athletes at the April 4 to 15 event.
Malleswari and Hyderabad tennis player J. Vishnu Vardhan — a double medallist at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China — created the ‘tricolour’ on a canvas with their palm prints.
Speaking on the occasion, Malleswari said she was glad the current athletes had access to better facilities. “However, we need to work at the grass root level if we are to do well at the Olympics and Asian Games,” the 42-year-old said, adding
“there is still a need to improve infrastructure in the North East and other states.”
Her Olympic feat still carries her. “It’s been over 17 years but my medal is fresh in the minds of people. I can see excitement in their eyes as they curiously seek details of my podium finish at Sydney,” she said.
“That bronze turned out to be bigger than gold for me as the entire country heaped praises on me for the achievement. It’s a moment I can never forget in my life,” she added.
The sports cluster of SPN with its 11 sports channels is attempting to bring the fans closer to CWG with English commentary on Sony Six and Sony Ten 2 channels and Hindi commentary on Sony Ten 3 channels. In addition to the live telecast, SPN will also air more than 30 hours of highlights and repeats, Kedar Teny, Senior Vice President, Marketing & OAP, Sports, said.
The expert panellists in the Studio are wrestler Geeta Phogat, shuttler Aparna Popat, shooter Anjali Bhagwat, hockey Olympian Viren Rasquinha and hockey player Jagbir Singh.
