E-Paper
K Malleswari
With Kunja and Chanu failing, Karnam remains our lone hope.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1975
Event: weightlifting
First Olympics appearance: 2000 Sydney Olympics
Records at Olympics: -
Achievements: bronze at the Sydney Olympics
Iron ladies of India - 28-year-old Karnam Malleswari, the Sydney bronze medallist and the legendary, 38-year-old N Kunjarani Devi will spearhead India’s weightlifting challenge.
Four years ago, Malleswari won India's only medal in the Sydney Olympics, a bronze which was wildly applauded. She was immensely hurt by a magazine article in the run-up to the Sydney Games which reported that she was overweight and drank beer. An anguished Malleswari announced her retirement at her hour of glory, aged just 25. While 2001 and 2002 were mired by personal problems and family concerns, Malleswari will be making a comeback in the 69-kg class at Athens.
Kunjurani Devi who missed out on the Sydney Olympics in a rather controversial case, will certainly among the best at Athens. Despite advancing age she will be a force to reckon with. This will be Kunjarani’s first Olympics, although she is listed by the international weightlifting body as one of the all-time greats.
