Indian hopes hit London road
The excitement and eagerness to be in London was apparent from their words. Their eyes reflected pride and the confidence that they are ready for the big stage. With the Olympics just 24 days away eight members of India’s London-bound contingent, who were in the Capital said they were hopeful of success even as Samsung — the official sponsor of the Indian Olympic squad announced cash awards of `20 lakh for gold medal winners here on Monday.
If for archer Deepika Kumari, winning a medal at the Olympics is her dream, boxer M.C. Mary Kom says “it’s a great honour” for her to participate at the July 27 to August 12 extravaganza. “I can’t express what an Olympic medal would mean to me, it is my dream, my life,” said Deepika, who was crowned as the World no. 1 archer last month.
“This is my first Olympics, but I don't have any pressure on me. I am confident and will give my 100 per cent to win a medal. “I’m not that happy about the no. 1 ranking, I will be happy only after winning a gold in the Olympics,” said Deepika, who is training with Chekrawolu Swuro and Laishram Bombayla Devi to compete in the women’s recurve team competition. BOXERS CONFIDENT Five-time world champion Mary Kom (51kg) felt that the Olympics would be less competitive than the World Championships. “The Olympics will be easier in a sense that it will have less competitors, and if you win your first bout you will be in the quarterfinals,” said Mary Kom, who is lone women boxer to compete at the Games.
“My training is going very well and I am prepared. I have also been sparring with male boxers in Pune and I have been benefitted a lot. It has helped me to improve my weak points. They are tall and strong and it has really helped me,” said the mother-of-two, who will leave for London on July 21 and will train in Liverpool under Charles Atkinson.
L. Devendro Singh, another medal hopeful, was raring to perform on the big stage and said his recent training stint in Dublin would come handy in London.
“The London weather is similar to that of Ireland, so it will be easier for us to acclimatise to the conditions during the Games,” he said.
Devendro said he had been focussing on his fitness and had been watching videos of his opponents.
“Boxers from China, Korea, Mongolia, Cuba will be tough opponents. But I have trained hard and am confident,” said the 20-year-old from Manipur, who wants to take his father to the Games under the sponsorship.
For Vikas Krishan, who missed the foreign exposure to appear for his Bachelors examination, the Olympics is just another international tournament though he looks to make a mark there.
“I am excited though a feeling of competitiveness will be there only when I enter the ring. Due to my exams I didn’t go to Ireland with the Indian team. I had to decide on my priorities and preparing for my exams was my priority then. But now its Olympics. I hope I pass in my exams and the Olympics too,” said the Asian Games gold medallist, who emphasised that he was “100 per cent prepared” for the Games. SODHI NERVOUS AND EXCITED A lean and fit Ronjan Sodhi was excited and at the same time nervous about his debut Olympics, but said he was ready for the challenge. “I am little bit nervous but it’s more the excitement. I qualified for the Olympics last year and I am mentally ready for it. Fitness levels are really important. I didn’t get time to focus on it last year. So in the past few months, I worked a lot on my fitness. I have also changed my techniques and equipment and its working well for me,” said Sodhi.
Meanwhile, 10m Air rifle shooter Gagan Narang, one of the best in the business, said he was well prepared for the premier event and ready to give his best shot. “I would be happy if I give my best. My advice to the first-timer Olympians would be to go, and give your best. It will be my third Olympics and I have come a long way. I have got the experience and better-prepared this time,” said the Hyderabadi.