Amidst suspense over the fitness of shot putter Om Prakash Karhana, a batch of 37 athletes – including sprinters, jumpers, throwers, endurance runners and a race walker – promised to put up a good show in the Incheon Asian Games.
Prior to the departure of the biggest batch of athletes, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and chief coach Bahadur Singh hoped that athletics would contribute more medals this time.
“We had bagged 12 medals in the previous edition and this time it would be more. We will do well in (men and women) discus, (men’s) triple jump and (women’s) 4x400m relay,” said Bahadur at the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) send-off ceremony here on Saturday.
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Bahadur said even though the women long distance runners might not be as promising as the last time, there was a good chance of them bagging some medals. “Tintu (Luka), Sushma (Devi) and (O.P.) Jaisha are in good form.”
Tough test
The chief coach said the walkers would face a tough test. “In women’s 20km walk we will win a medal. It is difficult to predict about the men’s competitions.”
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On whether Om Prakash would be able to make it to the Asiad, Bahadur said, “He twisted his ankle before the trial (on September 15). His event is on October 2. So there is enough time for him to recover and give the trial.”
Commonwealth Games silver medal winning discus thrower Seema Punia said she was hoping for a better performance than her 61.61 in Glasgow. “All these years I could not participate in the Asian Games due to some reason or the other. I am motivated to do better.”
Triple jumper Arpinder Singh, who had claimed a bronze in Glasgow with a 16.63, said he wanted to break his National mark of 17.17. “Conditions in Korea will be good and it is nice to have my coach (Sukhdev Singh Pannu) with me.”
Walker K.T. Irfan, who shot to fame after finishing 10th in the London Olympics, said he would benefit from his high-altitude training at Dharamshala.
A 2010 Asian Games gold medallist in 400m hurdles, Joseph Abraham was happy to be away from the limelight. “I was disappointed to have missed out on an Olympic berth in 2012. Then I had taken a break. My best this year is 50.7 and I hope to go under 50 to land a medal,” he said.