LONDON: Weightlifting coach Devidutt Sharma does not want to talk big by promising a medal from his wards but says the two-member Indian team here is not just to make up the numbers in the London Olympics.
"I will not like to talk big but the fact is that K Ravi Kumar (69kg) and Soniya Chanu (48kg) have qualified to be here is a no mean achievement," Sharma said. "You also must realize that not everybody qualifies for this mega event. So Ravi and Soniya are here in London Olympics on their own performance," he said.
Sharma said that in training session's Ravi's best has been 332kg in total lift -- 147 in snatch and 185 in clean and jerk -- and if he is able to sustain that performance, that will be the best thing to happen. "Yes, I know that performing an training session and reproducing the same form in the Olympics are two different things but most of the times lifters do come up or better their own performance at the world stage," he said.
Sharma was of the view that Ravi Kumar has enough international exposure to withstand the pressure. "He has been participating in international events. He finished fourth in the last Asian Games and good thing is that there is no pressure on him," said the coach. "It all depends how he fares in the six attempts -- three each in snatch and three in clean and jerk -- and lot will depend how he much he lifts in clean and jerk because that is the toughest part." Ravi will be among the 22 weightlifters vying for the medal and according to Sharma, lifter from Albania, China and Turkey are the main contenders. Ravi's event is scheduled for July 31 but the first medal event of the Olympics is going to be women's 48kg and Soniya Chanu will be in the field of 13 lifters.
"Soniya is one of the top lifters in the world. She is tough and if she performs to her potential and talent I can promise you it will be a very satisfying showing," said the coach.