Kerala ‘gains weight’

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From the obscurity of the ill-lit Sports Authority of India centre in Thrissur, two youngsters are getting set for a 32-hour journey to the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific which is getting ready to host the 2012 Oceania & Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships.

Muneera M.S. and Karthik M.S. are the two who will enter the history books as the first weightlifters from Kerala to participate in an international championship.

Credit goes to former lifter, trainer and current coach of the Indian junior team, Chithra Chandramohan, who made it possible. “It’s like a dream come true for me and Muneera and Karthik.

I could not represent India, though I came closer to making the cut in 2003, but through these two, I feel like living my unaccomplished dream,” said Chithra.

Apart from Muneera and Karthik, another Malayali boy Shyamlal, who represents the Services, is part of the 15-member Indian contingent that will compete in the championship from June 4 to 9.

Muneera is a 15-year-old from Ernakulam who competes in the 63 kg category while 19-year-old Thrissur boy Karthik will flex his muscles in the 59 kg.

Muneera is a bronze medalist in the sub-junior nationals held earlier this year in Andhra Pradesh while Karthik had finished fourth in his event.

However, on the basis of their recent performances, the two had recorded the second best performances behind Apurba Chetia of Assam and Subhasmita Mohanty of Orissa, respectively, in their categories.

“Muneera has been training under me for the last 2 years. I keep telling her I want to achieve my dreams through her and she responds with great performances. I am proud of the two,” said Chithra.

The 25-year-old Chithra had, last May, become the first woman in the country to become chief coach of a national team and she’s also the youngest qualified coach from the state.

She had taken up coaching in order to inspire more youngsters to pursue the ignored sport of weightlifting; and indeed her hardwork has paid off.

“India has the potential to win medals at the level, and according to me both Muneera and Karthik can achieve something for themselves.Their success will inspire more youngsters to follow the sport,” said Chithra.