Malleswari lets her lifting do the talking

Sydney: It has still not sunk in and it will probably take a few more days. But Karnam Malleswari knows she has created history in Indian sport. She knows the news would have reached her home in Haryana, where she and her husband live, and her native village in Andhra Pradesh.

For the last few days, women's weightlifting has been the centre of a major controversy. India had two berths, but three contenders. The choice was between Karnam Malleswari in the 69-kg, Sanamacha Chanu in the 53-kg and Kunjarani in the 48-kg categories.

When the selection committee opted for the first two, there was a hue and cry. While some felt Chanu ought to have been dropped, others felt Malleswari's form was slipping.

When the selection became final, an emotional Kunjarani lashed out at her colleagues. In fact in an interview, Kunjarani went to extent of calling her teammates "immoral" and "corrupt". But, fortunately neither Malleswari nor Chanu reacted.

Now, a little later, after becoming India's first woman medallist in the history of the Olympics by winning a bronze, Malleswari is emotionally charged. Halting and sometimes on the verge of weeping, she said, "This is a dream come true. Now I think I have proved myself and provided enough proof of my prowess."

"This was the only way to show I am among the best in the world. I had kept quiet while people were calling me names. It is the dream of every athlete to compete in the Olympics. That I could do and also win a medal makes it so much better," she added.

Her coach, Leonid Taranenko, who also drew a lot of flak in the selection controversy, said, "I am proud to be her coach and to get India a medal." But the man who seemed the most relieved was Balbir Singh Bhatia, a selector, who said, "There was so much tension over the past few days. I have not even been able to sleep. There were rumours and gossip doing the rounds. Talk that could demoralise a participant. I am glad it has ended happily for Malleswari."

India Abroad News Service