The Hindu : Sport : Exciting affair on the cards for aficionados

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 30, 2005

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Exciting affair on the cards for aficionados

A. Vinod

ALAPPUZHA: The Asian powerlifting championship, which is all set to get underway here on Saturday, should prove to be an exciting affair for the lovers of this iron sport, though all roads need not necessarily lead to the Raiban auditorium, which is the venue of this four-day event.

Yet, it is an indisputable fact that the local organising committee, led by former international and Arjuna award winner, P.J. Joseph, has left no stone unturned in making this event — being held for the third time in India — a memorable one. And considering the odds with which they have worked through the last few months, the turnout too is not bad what with teams from 12 nations already having reported and a few more expected to arrive by early tomorrow morning.

Only two countries, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, from among the 17, which had confirmed their participation have so far officially pulled out of the meet, citing difficulties to make the trip in the wake of the Tsunami disaster. In the event, the draw should have competitors from 15 countries, though the organisers are yet to receive the travel plans of the Tajikistan squad.

The meet, which will feature competitions in 11 weight categories in the men's section and 10 in the women's division, will also see competitions being conducted separated for four other sections — sub-junior, junior, master I (for those above 40 years) and master II (above 50 years).

Overall, the expectations are that around 250 powerlifters would figure in all these sections put together.

Focus on Kazakhstan

The focus as the competitions get underway could be very well on the Kazakhstan contingent, which as the overall champion at the last year's meet, should be once again raring to go and prove its supremacy in an overwhelming fashion, especially in the men's section. Besides the champion side, the other countries, which have already made it, are Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Nepal, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq, Oman and the Philippines.

As the host country, India has the biggest contingent in the fray and though it could have a participant in each of the weight category of the various sections, the realistic chances of a podium finish by the members of the home team, however, are limited to only a few weight classes.

In fact, the home team is likely to pin its chances on Lokanathan, P. Suresh, T.K. Vikas in the men's section and on Zeena, Tejaswini Naidu and Rajeswari in the women's division. The team management remains hopeful of some others too making it to the podium in their respective weight categories.

The Kerala Assembly Speakar, Therambil Ramakrishnan, formally inaugurated the championship late on Thursday evening, after a parade of the participants through the main thoroughfare of the city.

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