Karnam Malleswari is the first and only Indian woman weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, having achieved the unique distinction in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
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The 2000 Sydney Olympics was expected to spell the beginning of India’s dominance in the Olympics, following the emergence of some fine talents and the presence of proven campaigners. There was renewed vigour as the sportspersons backed by an enthusiastic audience back home, made their way down to Australia. However, the majority of the campaign sadly failed to translate into desired results, barring some noteworthy achievements. Anjali Bhagwat became the first Indian shooter to reach an Olympic final, further emerging as the first Indian to reach any final after PT Usha in 1984. Gurcharan Singh recorded the unique distinction of being the first boxer from the nation to reach an Olympics quarter-final.
However, the biggest highlight of the campaign which deserves to be celebrated to the hilt is the historic bronze won by Karnam Malleswari, saving the blushes for the entire sporting fraternity of India. Karnam totalled 240 kg in the 69 kg section in weightlifting, becoming the first Indian woman ever to win an Olympic medal. She continues to be the only Indian woman weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, which is exemplary, to say the least.
Men’s weightlifting was a part of the Olympics from the 18th century. However, women’s weightlifting had witnessed its maiden appearance in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which would have certainly added a fair bit of pressure. However, Karnam threw caution and fear to the wind, initially lifting 110 kg in the snatch. She further went on to start with 125 kg in the clean & jerk, before lifting 130 kg. While this was incredible in itself, Karnam attempted to impress even further by lifting 137.5 kg in her last attempt. Sadly, fortune did not favour her at this stage with the anger and frustration evident on her face while walking away. A bronze was secured, but Karnam was furious at her coaching team for urging her to go for 137.5 kg in the last lift when even 132.5 kg was enough to win the gold.
“During my event at the 2000 Sydney Games, there was barely any media coverage, I didn’t see anyone cheering for me. But I knew I had gone for the Gold medal. I was unlucky for missing the jerk of 7.5 kg which was supposed to be an Olympic record. It was a miscalculation on the part of my coaches to let me lift 137.5 kg in my last attempt. Even if I had lifted 132.5 kg, I could have won the gold. I knew it was a big moment for India and for me winning the bronze, but I was not satisfied,” she said in an interaction with The Bridge.
“I deserved gold. The coach had to analyse my competitor’s performances to prepare me, but he did not do that. Coming third in something that you are really good at, is not a memory that fades away easily. When we compete, we don’t pay much attention to the calculations or the competitors, since we are in our own zone. Our job is to pay heed to the coaches, go on the stage, and compete. So at that time, it wasn’t in my mind to question their decision. I was capable of it but a mistake from the coaches cost me gold,” added Karnam.
The ‘Iron Lady’ as popularly known was furious despite having won the bronze. However, this anger was well understandable considering the questions that had been raised about her capabilities as well as character going into the Olympics.
Karnam had been called overweight, accused of not being hungry enough for success. A leading magazine had published a feature in which her love for fried food and beer was mentioned. The weight-lifter had to respond to such accusations and defend herself when questioned about the same by her husband and in-laws.
“It was not small criticism, and it was affecting not just me, but the whole family. I was accused of being addicted to drinking beer. My in-laws, my father and my husband were told that such a thing had been written about me. “Is it true?” they all asked me. One can imagine what an impact such an accusation would have on the family. If they had just written about me, and if it had involved only me, it wouldn’t have been such a problem. Other people had also written about me in newspapers, but what was written in the magazine had an impact on the whole family. It spoilt my image also,” she said in an interaction with Sportstar.
However, the plaudits that followed would certainly have felt well worth it all with the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee calling her “Bharat ki beti”. It will be interesting to see if Mirabai Chanu can emulate Karnam’s heroics in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, having set a new world record at the Asian weightlifting championship in Tashkent on April 17.
