CWG medallists focus on "tough" Asian Games challenge

Mon, Nov 01 10 11:08 PM

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Winning medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games is history for the Indian athletes and they are now focussing on putting their best foot forward in the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou to be held from November 12. India reaped their biggest haul of 101 medals at the Delhi Games but most of the medallists admit it is going to be tougher at the Asian Games. "Asian Games is going to be tough but I would certainly going to bring a medal for the country," assured Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 77kg weightlifting, Ravi Kumar. "Generally after any major event, the body needs at least one and a half months to recover but we are trying to do that in just a month''s time. "Personally, I can say, as compared to the CWG, I would at least better my performance by 2 per cent in the Asian Games," added the lifter on the sidelines of a function where all the 101 CWG medallits were felicitated by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, MMTC limited, STC and PEC. Cash prizes of 7.5 lakh each was presented to the gold medallist, while 5 lakh and 3.5 lakh each were awarded to the silver medal winners and bronze medallists. Indian relay team were awarded cash prize of Rs 8 lakhs and the Indian hockey team was felicitated with a cash award of Rs 16 lakhs. Talking about their chances at the Asiad, Indian hockey skipper Rajpal Singh said they have learnt from their mistakes and hope not to repeat those at the Asian Games. "We are preparing well for the Asian Games. Though it is going to be tough but we can take heart from the fact that we had beaten South Korea, which is strong team, in the Azlan Shah Cup," said Rajpal. "We would be taking it match by match and I am sure that we would produce good results," he added. Indian boxers accounted for seven medals at the Delhi Games (3 gold and 4 bronze) and they too reckon it is not going to be easy in China. CWG gold medallist in Fly Weight 52kg Suranjoy Mayengbam said it is tough but hoped their hard work will pay off. "Asian countries are very tough and it is going to be difficult for us but we are working hard. We are concentrating on doing better than what we did at the CWG," said Suranjoy, who also received cash award for his CWG feat. The feeling regarding the Asian Games was no different among the shooters who won a total of 30 medals in shooting in the Commonwealth Games. "China, both North and South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan are all doing well and would pose a tough challenge," said Samresh Jung, who won bronze in men''s 25m standard pistol (singles) event. "You need to understand ranges so I don''t know whether we would get enough time to get used to those," he added. Also present on the occasion, World champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sushil Kumar, who would be missing the Asiad due to shoulder injury, said that he was preparing for the Olympic qualifiers. "I am getting ready for the Olympic qualifiers," said Sushil after recieving his cash prize.

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