By Biju Babu Cyriac Indian weightlifters have done really well in the Commonwealth Games over the years. Their collection includes a whopping 92 medals, including 33 gold, 39 silver and 20 bronze. This time too, they are looking at a rich harvest. The squad is a mix of senior and young lifters but its most fascinating aspect is the trio of iron ladies from Manipur who are all capable of lifting gold.
L Monica Devi
The famous lifter returns to action after a long hiatus caused by a dope tangle in 2008 when she saw the other side of fame and adulation. She says she is now determined to prove to the world that she is not a sinner.
"Please. Don't take me back to those horror days. I thank all my family members, well wishers and the Federation who helped me to come out clean," Monika pleaded. "I haven't done anything wrong. So I never left practice so it was not difficult for me to come back. My family wants me to compete till the next Olympics," she said.
Monika also has her plans ready once she quits the sport. "I want to be a coach and help the kids in Manipur. That's my dream."
Monika, who won a silver in 69kg at the Melbourne CWG, is having a close look at the competition in the women's 69kg and 75kg and only after analysing her chances against the competition, she will take a call on the weight category she would participate in. "I have a chance in both weights but I think I will settle for the 75kg class," she said. "My target is to win the gold but I know I will have to fight for it. I'm ready,"
Sonia Chanu
It is not just the monetary and other rewards that motivate Sonia Chanu to go for the gold. "If I win a gold or silver then I may get promoted to the post of DSP," said Sonia, who is now serving in Manipur Police as an inspector.
Sonia's first love was athletics and she showed her proficiency as a sprinter by winning medals for Manipur in junior national meets. "It was in 1998 that my coach prompted me to take up weightlifting as he thought I had more chances there," Sonia said.
The coach was right as five years later, Sonia was on the podium at the inaugural Afro-Asian Games. In Delhi, Sonia is one of India's best bet for a gold medal in the 48kg class.
"I want to give a good performance for the sake of my country and my Federation," she said aware of all the negative publicity that has haunted her sport.
Renu Bala Chanu
The youngest of the trio at 24, Renu Bala has set twin targets for herself. "My aim is to win the gold with a new record in Delhi and a gold or silver at the Asian Games," Renu Bala said.
The lifter who began her medal haul at the senior national level in 2004 has never looked back in the 58-kg class. "I took up weightlifting inspired by my sister. Now I want to win medals in front my countrymen," the Railway officer said.
A big fan of Shaan, she listens to music while training. "I also love to listen to ghazals while training. That keeps me motivated," she said.
A win in Delhi will surely see Chanu packing her bags for a holiday to Goa, her favourite place, and watching all the latest flicks of Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee.
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