Behind the gold and silver

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In early 2010, Thrissur girl Chitra Chandramohan had given up a still blossoming career in weightlifting and decided to take up coaching.

Those close to her never questioned her intuition, for she had a vision and was determined to achieve it.

Two years later, two of her trainees, Karthik and Muneera, won gold and silver for the country at the 2012 Oceania & Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Samoa, the first of its kind achievement by Malayalis.

It was a historic triumph for the nation and a personal achievement for Chithra, who ever since quitting the competition have been training young lifters from her state for international medals.

“When I was a participant, the closest I came to national representation was in 2003, though I could never make the final cut. I had then started dreaming my dream for these kids,” said a delighted Chithra.

After earning her qualification from NIS, Chithra joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kozhikode. Weightlifting was but a namesake event at the centre until she came by, conducting camps and programmes.

By the time she came back to Thrissur SAI, Chithra’s hardwork had elevated her to the post of a national junior coach. Coincidentally, the same year, the Indian team had Malayali representation in Muneera and Karthik.

“They were deservingly in the team because we knew they could fight for medals. I was really happy when Karthik won gold and Muneera took silver.” “I told them that I am living my personal dream through them.

They are young, still I could only imagine how serious they were during the championship. With more years, they will become mature lifters and reach higher levels,” she said.

Nineteen-year-old Thrissur boy Karthik took gold in 56 kg with a lift of 94 and 125 kg in snatch and clean-and-jerk while 15-year-old Ernakulam girl Muneera claimed silver in 58 kg.

At 25 years, Chithra could still have continued in the competition,but had she not given up her personal gains and decided to help groom young lifters, this achievement would not have been possible.