Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051750500200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Budding weightlifters get guidance from seniors

J. R. Shridharan

Kunjarani Devi and others meet them at CBR Sports Academy

PHOTO: RAJU.V

MOMENT TO CHERISH: Olympian weightlifting champion Kunjarani Devi along with Bela Rani and Monika Devi, at CBR Sports Academy in Kethanakonda near Vijayawada on Friday.

KETHANAKONDA (Krishna district): They had just heard the name of Kunjarani Devi, the Olympian weightlifter who brought laurels to India in many international events. But when they saw her in flesh and blood on Friday, they were clearly awe-struck. They not only saw and shook hands with her, but also had the opportunity to interact with their childhood hero.

For the dozens of young, up and coming weightlifters at CBR Sports Academy here, it was a dream come true to spend some quality time with their ‘didi’.

‘Better facilities’

The diminutive lifter from Manipur congratulated the youngsters for taking weightlifting as a career and exhorted them to give their best shot. “We never had an air-conditioned gymnasium with international equipment. The academy is providing you all the best of facilities. It took years for me to touch ELCO bar bell, considered the best in the world,” she says. The veteran Rajiv Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awardee was at the academy along with other international lifters such as Geeta Rani, Anitha Kumari, Bela Rani, Monika Devi and Prasmitha Nagaraja.

Bespectacled Kunjarani Devi advised the youngsters to respect their parents and coach and observed that with scientific training and persistent hard work, the dream of winning medals in Olympics would not remain just a distant dream. The burly-looking Bela Rani, an employee with the CISF, said she had two short stints at the academy and the facilities had since then improved by leaps and bounds. “I came from a small village. Though I practised for more than 10 years, my year-long stay at CBR Academy transformed me into a better lifter. Kunjarani has always been my idol,” said Bela, amidst wild cheers from the future champs.

Young Laishram Monika Devi from Manipur turned emotional while describing her struggle in the formative days. “I’m happy to be selected to represent India in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. But it was always difficult for small town girls to make it big. But, I never lost my will to excel,” she told the youngsters.

Monika Devi is one of the weightlifters selected for the Beijing Games in the 69-kg category. Some of the youngsters interacted with the star lifters and got advice.