Twenty-four years ago, on this day (September 19), Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman athlete to win a medal at the Summer Olympics, in Sydney. A day before, weightlifter Sanamacha Chanu had not done well, so the focus was not on Malleswari, really. “I know that very few media people turned up for my event as people were expecting Sanamacha to win the medal,” said Malleswari, taking a trip down memory lane. “After she had not done well on September 18, I was told there were more important events on the day I won a medal. They had to cover hockey and P Gopichand’s (badminton) match.”
The date is important for her and Indian sport. So, when she reached out to this writer and wanted to talk about it, there was intrigue. “I have spoken on my medal win many times, but I guess there is nostalgia now because it’s approaching the 25th anniversary,” she said. “Plus, I still take great pride in being the first Indian woman to have achieved this big win at the Olympics.”
Indian weightlifting in those days had depth, and it was not just about one lifter. That’s why when Malleswari talks about the focus not having been on her at the Sydney Convention Centre, it has nothing to do with rancour. “There was no pressure on me at all,” she enphasised. “But, yes, I do feel bad, I did not win a gold medal. My coaches could have planned better.” Malleswari competed in the 69kg category. She had a best of 110kg in the snatch. Where there was a slip-up was when her coaches pushed her from 130kg to 137.5kg in clean and jerk. “I still feel had they increased the weight by just three kilos, it would have been good enough for gold. Yes, it is my regret I did not win an Olympic gold, but at the same time I still feel happy I was the first Indian lady to achieve this feat. Nobody can take that record away from me.”
Recalling the moments after the win and how it became so massive, Malleswari has many memories. She mentioned two events which remain very important. “The morning after I won the medal, Gopichand came to meet me and said he wanted to touch my medal,” she recalled.”It feels emotional even today when I think about it. He wanted to see what it felt like to touch an Olympic medal. Of course, much later, Gopichand has produced Olympic champions like PV Sindhu and seen as a coach what it is to see and touch that medal. This memory is special, and even Gopi has mentioned it in the past.”
Abhinav Bindra, Anjali Bhagwat and a strong hockey team were all part of the Sydney Olympics campaign. “I also cannot forget how Dhanraj Pillay was shouting ‘Malleswari zindabad’ at the Athletes Village once I returned back,” she said. “I may have talked of my win several times but today I feel it is important to recall the emotions.”
Much later, years after she had won an Olympic medal, there were some officials in the Indian weightlifting federation who told her that if they wanted, they could have ensured she had won gold. What? “Yes, I was told this by a few people but there is no point mentioning names now,” she said. “Everyone knows I had a foreign coach (Leonid Taranenko), as well as Indian coaches, in Sydney. If they wanted me not to win a gold medal, that’s sad history. That’s why when I think about September 19 and the lost chance to win a gold medal, I feel upset. Nothing can be done about it. At the same time, it is my dream that after Mirabai Chanu, more Indian weightlifters will win medals for India at the Asian Games and the Olympics. This is my dream, and RevSportz was kind enough to write about my academy in Yamunanagar. Give me time, I am training a bunch of athletes, one day they will deliver big medals.”
So, will Malleswari celebrate today, or will it be just another day at work? “Well, it’s a special day for sure but I guess nostalgia will be there,” she said. “When I talk of wanting to see India produce more weightlifting champions, I mean it and am working towards it with my husband (Rajesh Tyagi).”
The champion shared these pictures from the Sydney Olympics with RevSportz.