India expecting first gold through Kunjarani Devi tomorrow

Melbourne, Mar 15 (UNI) Under cloud and scanner of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Indian weightlifters, spearheaded by defending champion Kunjarani Devi, will commence their campaign for a gold rush in the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

As per the form, India should win two golds on the opening day of this competition with Kunjarani Devi and Vicky Batta (men's 56kg) being the two hot favourites.

With gold medal prospect Sailaja Pujari recently testing positive and the lastminute withdrawal by B Prameela Valli, the Indian lifters are under strict scrutiny.

Kunjarani Devi, the triple gold medal winner at 2002 Manchester Games, will have to overcome this fear psychosis when she steps in the stage to perform in the 48kg category.

The Indian lifters in any case are not going to repeat the 2002 Manchester Ganmes show as the numbers of medals have been reduced to one for each category, instead of three as was the case in the last games.

Kunjarani is the best sportsperson to give India the golden kick start in this game. She is the top ranked lifter among the Commonwealth countries. The 38-year-old bespectacled lifter, who has 21 medals to her credit from the world championships, starts clear favourite as there is hardly any other challenger in the field who even figures among the top 15 in the world.

Kunjarani finished seventh in the last World Championship held in Doha. There she lifted 178 kgs (78 and 100kg).

Meanwhile, apart from Vicky Batta, another lifter -- Edwin Raju -- will also be in action tomorrow in the men's 56 kg category.

In the Doha championship, Batta was placed 14th with a lift of 234 kg (107+127). He had finished third in the 2002 Games and has the best chance to collect the gold with Raju in line for a silver or bronze.

Team Manager Harbhajan singh excuded confidence of a good outing tomorrow, saying ''I am sure tommorrow you will hear the Indian national anthem being played in the hall twice.'' Kunjarani Devi and Batta have been performing well and ''They should be at the top of the podium tomorrow,' he said.

Edwin Raju is in good form and I expect a medal from him also,'' he added.

UNI HSB AY VC1120