New Delhi, Oct 19: Australia'S Dani Samuels, who was one among the athletes who pulled out of the Delhi Commonwealth Games (CWG), is now raring to head-on with the 2010 CWG gold medallist Krishna Poonia and has invited the Indian to a $20,000-winner-takes-all duel.

Samuels, like several other international athletes, had cited the health and security concerns for withdrawing from the Delhi Games.

Poonia, however, had told the Indian media that Samuels' "poor form" was the real reason behind her pull out, citing the Australian's upsetting performance during the European summer.

While this statement of Poonia laid foundation for what has now turned into a royal revenge battle, the Indian's victory at the recently concluded CWG 2010 seems to have added fuel to the fire.

Speaking on Samuels' invitation to the Indian for duel, manager, Hayden Knowles told the Australian media, ''It could be enormous. It could be like a boxing match. The Indian girl started it in the press, the Australian wants quality competition. The great thing is there's no need to generate hype, it's there and it's real."

"A sponsor has offered $20,000 winner-takes-all, making it the biggest cash prize for a discus event in the world. The prestigious Diamond League offers $10,000 prize money, well we've doubled that to give Poonia her shot at the champ," Knowles is quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.

He said that Poonia heated things up by bagging Dani to a billion Indians while defending Samuels that she never did anything to disrespect the Indian athlete.

Poonia ready

As per the latest reports, Poonia is ready to take on Samuels. Krishna Poonia's husband and coach Virender Poonia has told the Indian media that the athlete would be ready for the battle as long as it is before Dec 2010, after which she will be resting.

"We have neither received a phone call nor a mail from anyone associated with Dani regarding this challenge. "We can only commit after we are told about the date," Virender is quoted as saying in Times of India.

Battlefield

While Poonia's participation is subject to confirmation on the basis of time, Samuels has made it clear that she will not be flying to India for a face-off.

Samuels wants the duel to be held on her home turf - Australia.

OneIndia News