Asking for an Olympic medal from an Indian athlete is like asking for the moon itself. Milkha Singh in Rome and P T Usha in Los Angeles, were the only two Indian athletes who have put up a creditable performance in the Olympics.
Indians are doing their level best to match international standards, but the gap between them and the world-class performers is still wide. There are a few Indians who are really going all out to bridge that gap.
One among them is Shakti Singh, the gentle giant, who set a new Asian record in shot put with a heave of 20.60 metres, eclipsing the existing mark of 20.45 metres held by Sergei Rubtchov of Kazhaksthan in the second Domestic Circuit in Bangalore recently.
What was amazing about Shakti's effort was that it came at a ripe age of 39 years, when most of his contemporaries would have quit. But, Shakthi never gives up.
It was in 1998, that Shakti, who had been dominating discus event at the National level, switched over to shot put, due to a muscle problem. But the changeover proved to be a wise decision as he has been ruling the event ever since. Shakti has been improving from strength to strength with every outing.
"It was only after I cleared the 19-metre mark during the last Nationals, I have been aiming a 20-metre plus record. I am glad that I did it in Bangalore," Shakti said.
But does that really suffice in terms of the competition at the Olympics? "It is not enough. I have to improve a lot more and make put up a good show in the Olympics. It is a privilege to represent the country at the Games and I will do my best," he says.
Shakti, who is with the Northern Railways, has a major international meet coming up in Jakarta - Asian Track and Field Championship - in the last week of August. He plans to go all out and set an Asian record there, so that he can compete in Sydney with his morale sky high.
Shakti has seen many ups and downs in his entire career, including injuries, neglect by selectors and a belated recognition. He feels that Indian athletes are not commended and compensated properly.
All he got for the Asian record in Bangalore was a measly sum of Rs 20,000. "All we ask is for a better deal from the sponsors, federation and our fans," Shakti quips.
Indians are doing their level best to match international standards, but the gap between them and the world-class performers is still wide. There are a few Indians who are really going all out to bridge that gap.
One among them is Shakti Singh, the gentle giant, who set a new Asian record in shot put with a heave of 20.60 metres, eclipsing the existing mark of 20.45 metres held by Sergei Rubtchov of Kazhaksthan in the second Domestic Circuit in Bangalore recently.
What was amazing about Shakti's effort was that it came at a ripe age of 39 years, when most of his contemporaries would have quit. But, Shakthi never gives up.
It was in 1998, that Shakti, who had been dominating discus event at the National level, switched over to shot put, due to a muscle problem. But the changeover proved to be a wise decision as he has been ruling the event ever since. Shakti has been improving from strength to strength with every outing.
"It was only after I cleared the 19-metre mark during the last Nationals, I have been aiming a 20-metre plus record. I am glad that I did it in Bangalore," Shakti said.
But does that really suffice in terms of the competition at the Olympics? "It is not enough. I have to improve a lot more and make put up a good show in the Olympics. It is a privilege to represent the country at the Games and I will do my best," he says.
Shakti, who is with the Northern Railways, has a major international meet coming up in Jakarta - Asian Track and Field Championship - in the last week of August. He plans to go all out and set an Asian record there, so that he can compete in Sydney with his morale sky high.
Shakti has seen many ups and downs in his entire career, including injuries, neglect by selectors and a belated recognition. He feels that Indian athletes are not commended and compensated properly.
All he got for the Asian record in Bangalore was a measly sum of Rs 20,000. "All we ask is for a better deal from the sponsors, federation and our fans," Shakti quips.
Oneindia Login