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No weight of expectations
Despite being the lone Indian contender in hammer throw, young Chandrodaya Narayan Singh is optimistic of a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games.
Despite being the lone Indian contender in hammer throw, young Chandrodaya Narayan Singh is optimistic of a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games.
“It won’t be easy as the competitors from Australia and England are good. But I have the confidence to pull it off,” Chandrodaya told HT over phone from Patiala, where the camp is underway.
However, he denied there was any pressure on him.
“In fact, my rivals will feel it (pressure) as I have the home advantage,” said the nineteen-year-old.
A disciple of the famous ‘Rustam Army’ at the
Athletics Hostel in Allahabad, Chandrodaya also wants to better his personal best and national record at the quadrennial Games. “After touching 65.40m mark in the trials, I am on track. I am sure of crossing my personal best of 67.38m,” he said.
Chandrodaya, who won silver at the 2008 Youth Commonwealth Games with a throw of 67.38m, said the focus was on diet and training schedule. “I’ve been following the regimen sincerely for the past several months as they matter a lot in my sphere of specialisation.”
“The 18th Commonwealth Games were in progress in Melbourne when I was starting off in 2006, but I had no plans to be a hammer thrower. Today, I feel proud to be one of India’s medal hopes. I will leave no stone unturned to make my debut in the CWG a memorable one,” he said.
Chandrodaya is following the dream of his father, Rajesh Singh, who had won a bronze in hammer throw at the Inter-Varsity Championship in the 80s. His mother, Indu Singh, was a hockey player.
“My selection to the Indian team is a tribute to my family’s aspirations and coach, Rustam Khan, who is my ‘real father’ in sports,” he said.
