If you are banking on it, then you can't be blamed. But apart number one ranked Malleshwari, forget about others. Here is the reason behind it.
That day they were showing an interview of Kunjurani Devi on some news channel . She was asked about her preparation. Her reply gave me a thorough jolt. According to her, representing her country in the Olympics itself is a big honour, however she will try for the medal as well !
This has been the attitude of most of the players till now because I have heard many a fathers beaming with pride for having their sons as Olympians. No wonder we have drawn almost a blank till now. Content with participation and a job in Railways, Tisco, ONGC whatever.
Malleshwari also have had a fair share of the problems. Motherhood and other family problems have kept her out of training for almost a year. She had won a Bronze in Sydney 69 Kg, by lifting 240 kg. But this category is out of bounds for her because Asian record itself is 270 kg now. But there is a grit on her face. She looks confident. She has now reduced her weight to 63 kg to compete in this category. She is expected to lift 250 kg, which gives her an outside chance of a medal.
Not many are aware that for Sydney Olympics, Malleshwari had been advised to move up from the 63 kg class to the 69 kg class mainly because of a possible chance of a medal in this weight category. This time she has been advised to move down to 63 kg. Let's hope it works for her this time as well.