Having earned an Olympic berth, weightlifter Soniya Chanu (48kg) is confident of doing well at the upcoming London Games, saying if she could give her 100 per cent during the mega-event she has a great chance of making it to the podium.
'Pura chance hai medal jeetne ka (there is every chance of winning a medal),' Soniya said here today.
'It is very difficult to say how things will turn out at the competition but if I can give my 100 per cent I stand a very good chance (of winning a medal),' she added.
India earned two quota places for London Olympics -- one each in men's and women's sections (K Ravi Kumar in 69kg and Soniya Chanu) -- in the Senior Asian Championships at Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
India finished fifth in the men's team standings with 134 points and fourth in the women's section with 93 points to earn the quota places.
Soniya said if she can maintain her present form and manage to reach 178kg mark, she could surely win a medal at London.
'I lifted 75kg in snatch to win the bronze, while 100kg in clean and jerk. I finished fourth overall with a total of 175 kgs at the Asian Championships, which was pretty good,' said Soniya at the sidelines of a function where Sports Minister Ajay Maken distributed cash awards amounting to Rs 2.12 crore to 158 sportspersons.
'I also did well in the World Championships with a total lift of 171kg and finished sixth overall.'
'If I can reach around 178kg at the Olympics, I can certainly win a medal. I am working hard towards achieving it,' she added.
Elaborating on the training schedule in the run-up to the Olympics, Soniya said: 'I am not going to compete in any tournament before the Olympics because one needs at least 20 days recovery time after an event. And since there is hardly any time left, I would just concentrate on my training.'
Soniya, along with Ravi Kumar, is all set to train at NIS, Patiala in the next couple of months before the Olympics.
Meanwhile, paddler Soumyajit Ghosh, who has also qualified for the Olympics at the Asian Olympic Qualification Table Tennis tournament in Hong Kong, said he was looking to cause a few upsets and reach the quarterfinals at the London Games.
'Realistically, it is very tough to win a medal at the Olympics. I will try to cause 2 or 3 upsets and make the quarterfinals,' said Soumyajit.
Soumyajit, who pipped compatriot and current national champion Anthony Amal Raj to emerge as the highest placed paddler in South Asia and seal an Olympic berth, said it was extremely satisfying to do well against a strong player.
'The match against Amal Raj was very tough and I am happy that I could pull it off,' said the paddler, adding that he never thought he would qualify before Achanta Sharath Kamal.
Meanwhile, badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa said she would concentrate on her fitness in order to give her best at the Olympics.
'I will work on myb fitness, and also work harder on my game. And if we can really belief in ourselves, we can win Olympic medal,' said Ashwini.
Ashwini, along with her doubles partner Jwala Gutta, jumped four spots to get to 16th spot in the world rankings, which was enough for them to book a ticket to London.
Indians shuttlers are all set to play in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, three back-to-back tournaments, before the Olympics.
'Pura chance hai medal jeetne ka (there is every chance of winning a medal),' Soniya said here today.
'It is very difficult to say how things will turn out at the competition but if I can give my 100 per cent I stand a very good chance (of winning a medal),' she added.
India earned two quota places for London Olympics -- one each in men's and women's sections (K Ravi Kumar in 69kg and Soniya Chanu) -- in the Senior Asian Championships at Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
India finished fifth in the men's team standings with 134 points and fourth in the women's section with 93 points to earn the quota places.
Soniya said if she can maintain her present form and manage to reach 178kg mark, she could surely win a medal at London.
'I lifted 75kg in snatch to win the bronze, while 100kg in clean and jerk. I finished fourth overall with a total of 175 kgs at the Asian Championships, which was pretty good,' said Soniya at the sidelines of a function where Sports Minister Ajay Maken distributed cash awards amounting to Rs 2.12 crore to 158 sportspersons.
'I also did well in the World Championships with a total lift of 171kg and finished sixth overall.'
'If I can reach around 178kg at the Olympics, I can certainly win a medal. I am working hard towards achieving it,' she added.
Elaborating on the training schedule in the run-up to the Olympics, Soniya said: 'I am not going to compete in any tournament before the Olympics because one needs at least 20 days recovery time after an event. And since there is hardly any time left, I would just concentrate on my training.'
Soniya, along with Ravi Kumar, is all set to train at NIS, Patiala in the next couple of months before the Olympics.
Meanwhile, paddler Soumyajit Ghosh, who has also qualified for the Olympics at the Asian Olympic Qualification Table Tennis tournament in Hong Kong, said he was looking to cause a few upsets and reach the quarterfinals at the London Games.
'Realistically, it is very tough to win a medal at the Olympics. I will try to cause 2 or 3 upsets and make the quarterfinals,' said Soumyajit.
Soumyajit, who pipped compatriot and current national champion Anthony Amal Raj to emerge as the highest placed paddler in South Asia and seal an Olympic berth, said it was extremely satisfying to do well against a strong player.
'The match against Amal Raj was very tough and I am happy that I could pull it off,' said the paddler, adding that he never thought he would qualify before Achanta Sharath Kamal.
Meanwhile, badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa said she would concentrate on her fitness in order to give her best at the Olympics.
'I will work on myb fitness, and also work harder on my game. And if we can really belief in ourselves, we can win Olympic medal,' said Ashwini.
Ashwini, along with her doubles partner Jwala Gutta, jumped four spots to get to 16th spot in the world rankings, which was enough for them to book a ticket to London.
Indians shuttlers are all set to play in Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, three back-to-back tournaments, before the Olympics.