Shikha overwhelmed by Arjuna Award

Bangalore, Aug 23 (UNI) Olympian swimmer Shikha Tandon, overwhelmed on being conferred the Arjuna Award, today said the honour was a kind of recognition for her hard work.

In her reaction Shikha told UNI ''I am really happy, it is a kind of recognition for hard work and I dedicate it to my Mother, friends, Coach and others who supported me in my achievements''.

Shikha, who was out of action for the last two months due to shoulder injury and was currently undergoing physiotheropy after surgery in Manipal Hospital, said ''the award would definitely motivate me to achieve more and bring laurels to the country''.

She said that in the next Beijing Olympics she want to figure in top 16. '' I will certainly prepare myself to reach semifinals in the next Olympics'', she added.

Shikha, who became the first Indian to qualify in the last Olympics, was full of confident in making a mark in Bejing.

The 21-year old Bio-tech graduate, Shikha has brought many laurels to the country and her latest fete in international arena being Bronze medal in the First Asian Indoor games held in Bangkok last year.

She was National Junior Champion since 1996 to 2002 and has scored a hattric by winning Senior title in 2003,04,05.

Her Coach Amin said ''it is a good news, very happy, she was a high profile swimmer and she certainly deserved it.'' ''She was the only Indian to qualify in two events in the last Olympics in 50 M and 100 M freestyle.'' He said that she was the 'Best Indian Performer'' for seven times both in Male and female category.

UNI MSP VK DH HT1947