Source: The Sangai Express
Bangalore, May 23:
With 61 medals in international competitions under her belt, veteran weight-lifter N Kunjarani Devi has just one burning desire to fulfill in her career spanning nearly two decades, to win an Olympic medal.
"It (winning an Olympic medal) is my last ambition", she says.
And the 38-year-old Manipuri lifter is working hard at the Sports Authority of India, South campus, here to achieve her target.
"Preparations are good.
If God is with me, I will surely bring a medal for India....I can bring a medal", the lifter told PTI here.
Athens is her first Olympic appearance and she obviously wants to make the most of it with Chief Coach Pal Singh Sandhu and the foreign Coach of Indian Women's team Leonid Taranenko egging her on.
Both Coaches believe she is a medal prospect.
Kunjarani said she was looking forward to her participation in Olympics for a long time and has done everything that was possible, in terms of practice and training.
"Winning medal depends on luck", a cautious Kunjarani hastened to add.
"I am working for gold like anybody else in competition.
So, I am trying for that.
I will give my best performance".
For "Kunju" as she is known to her friends, performance is not linked to age so long as the competitor has the determination, courage, mental strongness and a fire in the belly to deliver, and firmly rejects suggestions that her age was a liability.
"Age is not a matter or factor", the lifter, who underwent knee operation twice, says categorically.
"If the person has courage, determination and is mentally strong, he or she can do every thing in life and society".
And to drive home the point, Kunjarani says she does not find any difference in her - starting weight-lifting in 1985 and now.
"I don't have such feelings (regarding the age).
I am never thinking that I am not improving.
I gained more and more experience over the years".
The veteran weightlifter said she had no plans to call it a day after the Athens Olympics and could even go on for few more years.
"I am not contemplating retirement after Olympics.