'I was surprised by the strength I possessed'

Sanamacha Chanu is a name few people identify easily.

But that takes nothing away from the achievements of the young lady from Manipur, who is ranked 13th in the 53 kg category in the women's world weightlifting rankings.

An Arjuna Awardee, the 25 year old will compete in her second Olympics at Athens, having narrowly missed out on the bronze medal at Sydney in 2002.

Senior Correspondent Ashish Magotra met the diminutive strongwoman while she was training at the Sports Authority of India's Centre for Sporting Excellence in Bangalore.

Four years have passed since the Sydney Olympics. What memories do you have of the event now?

I failed in my last lift. If I had managed that lift -- and I honestly did try very hard -- I would have won the bronze medal. While attempting the last lift I picked up a knee injury and just could not bear the weight. That is why I just missed the bronze.

[She eventually ended up joint fourth because of a heavier body weight]

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What are the major changes you have experienced since Syndey?

In 2001 I got my knee operation done. Because of the injury I sustained in Sydney I had to be operated upon. For a year after that I could not practice.

It was only in early 2002 that I was able to resume training.

Four or five months after that I participated in the Commonwealth Games and won three gold medals there.

The way practice is going on at the moment I am sure all of us women lifters will win medals at the Olympics.

It has been ten years since you took to weightlifting. How did it all start for you?

I had no interest in weightlifting or knowledge about it. When I was studying in the 6th, 7th standard, my PT [physical training] teacher told us about Kunjarani Didi and how she earned a lot of fame through weightlifting.

I was intrigued and asked him, 'what is weightlifting?' And he told me that you have to lift weights. That is my first memory of weightlifting.

In 1992, when I was in the tenth class, Kunjarani Didi won the Arjuna Award; that memory is still very fresh.

There was this neighbour, a guy, who used to do weightlifting. I had no idea he was into the sport. One day he suddenly came up to me and asked whether I wanted to try my hand at weightlifting. I was astonished. By then Kunju Didi had become my hero. But I turned him down, saying, 'It is a not a girl's sport.' Still, he persisted that I at least have a try at it.

In 1993, the Sports Authority of India opened a complex in Manipur and wanted to select ten girls for weightlifting. I didn't even know how to lift but went there. The coach showed me how to position the arms and lift the weight. Seeing my talent and interest levels, he sent a message home saying that I should join the hostel.

How long did it take for you to make a mark?

I had never thought I would get a chance to participate in the Olympics when I started. I was lucky as well. In four years' time I started winning at the international level. I competed in the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the pre-Olympic trials too. In fact, I was surprised by the strength I possessed.

What was the reaction at home? Did they support your decision to go into weightlifting?

At first everyone at home was totally against it. They said, 'Ghar pe betho; padhai karo. Yeh ladikiyon ka kaam nahi hai [sit at home; study. This is not meant for girls],' but after watching the boys working out in the gym my mind was set.

So even though my parents refused to send me to the SAI hostel, I used to go and train. I was in the tenth standard and used to go out through the back door and practice in my school uniform.

When they asked me where I was going, I would reply, 'Going for tuitions.'

After a few months it was logical that my people at home would come to know about my training on the quiet. So I told my mother about it. She said only one thing: 'You have taken to the sport without our approval and stubbornly continue to train. Now show this same attitude on the field too and win.'

The most memorable day in your career?

In 2000 I won three gold medals at the Asian Championships in Osaka, Japan. It was a totally unexpected triumph. I knew I had a chance of winning a medal but winning gold medals was unbelievable. That was one of the happiest days of my life. I also qualified for the Olympics with that victory.

Chanu currently has competition bests of 80 kgs in the snatch and 105 in the clean and jerk for an overall total of 185 kgs. The world's best lift is in the region of 222.5 kgs.

Photographs: Getty Images and Ashish Magotra