With its hermetic coaching and itinerary, it is uncommon to see the game’s high athletes beneath one roof. The Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) felicitation program for Commonwealth Games medalists this week offered that window. At ease after finishing up their sporting duties, the athletes could possibly be seen of their pure non-serious type. Once the information cameras went off, there was an change of witty, pleasant and jaw-dropping jokes between them.
Teen weightlifter star Jeremy Lalrinnunga from Mizoram waited for some journalists with a smile and nod. “Have we not spoken already? Ab Kuch Naya Kahan Se Karoon Karoon. Sab khatam ho gaya (It is the same story. What else can I tell you that I haven’t spoken yet?)” he requested.
But the 19-year-old settled down and defined his roadmap for the Paris Olympics, which might require him to placed on one other six kilograms because the 67kg class, by which he received gold in Birmingham, will not be a part of the 2024 Games. He questioned if this could give him an opportunity to eat some pork. “I think dietitians will decide,” he stated.
Hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made additional efforts to cross the athletes’ subject, was surrounded by bouncers, and had a fast chat together with his journalist associates. Returning from a 0-7 loss to Australia within the last of the Commonwealth Games, he warned towards congratulating on the silver medal. “Why congratulate us? This we didn’t win. They gave it to us,” he stated. “Here’s the silver medal. Please keep it with you for the rest of the program. Just return it to me later,” joked the veteran’ keeper.
‘#teamindia medalist @birminghamc22 I#oneindiateamindia , #B2022 pic.twitter.com/ZqY1fid7m5
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) 13 August 2022
In one other nook of the corridor, excessive bounce bronze medalist Tejaswin Shankar was nonetheless attempting to regulate his apparel together with his higher pockets left for room. He needed to maintain medals, his telephone and different belongings there as a result of “their” sherwani-like coats, official apparel, didn’t have aspect pockets. Technically, it wasn’t even his. Tejaswin’s official gown was but to come back, a last-minute entrant for the Games. He was given the coat of arms of a wrestling federation official who didn’t arrive in Birmingham.
“The issue was, it was too big on the sides and the sleeves reached up to my elbows,” says 6′ 4′ Tejaswin. “I was told to take it to the official kit providers and get it replaced. He had to reduce 12 inches in the waist area, which meant pockets had to be cut,” he defined.
memorable expertise
One athlete who had no complaints about his apparel was triple bounce silver medalist Abdullah Abubakar. He was so impressed by the straightforward but elegant navy blue sherwani that the 26-year-old Kozhikode native deliberate to put on it to his wedding ceremony. “E suit adipoli anu (this suit is amazing). I will go home and keep it safe for my wedding,” he stated.
. a galaxy of#teamindiamedalist of @birminghamc22 All set for the congratulation ceremony @WeAreTeamIndia I
inform us which of those #B2022 Athletes you’ll be able to see right here pic.twitter.com/sJ1ZGWZ6EI
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) 13 August 2022
Avinash Sable, who returned from Birmingham with a historic steeplechase silver, was in no hurry to go away the corridor. Even as resort workers have been dismantling ramps and different short-term set-ups, they opted to show round to fulfill each single selfie request. He even had the persistence to accommodate video calls from some followers, presumably resort workers members. “Can you take out the medal? It was silver, right? I want to screenshot it,” requested a fan on one such name. Sable obliged with out hesitation.
“I really like it. This is the time when they can meet me, so I understand,” he says. The soft-spoken Maharashtra athlete is a really reserved individual. But there are only a few events when he speaks frankly. Hain Toh Apne Dil Ki Baat Kehte Kehte Hai. From his insightful race evaluation to his distaste for Twitter to a clumsy dialog with a TV journalist, Sable was within the temper to share. If time isn’t any barrier, Sable has by no means Doesn’t flip down interview requests. But the day earlier than, he tries his finest to keep away from a “dressy” TV reporter.
Says Sable, “Ek channel wale aur puchhe aapke koi medal hai (a TV reporter requested me if I had received any medals). His historic silver, the place he completed Kenya’s anticipated podium sweep, is undoubtedly the most effective in Indian sports activities. One of the best performances in historical past. So, when such a query was thrown at him, Sable was surprised.
“Before I could answer, he said ‘Don’t worry, you’ll definitely win a medal next time.’ I thanked him for his well wishes. He may not be a good journalist, but was good (he was a good person),” Sable noticed the brilliant aspect of the awkward dialog.
Meanwhile, Jeremy, maybe in a rush, had left his cardboard verify behind within the corridor. After some time when he was knowledgeable about his lacking property, the younger man was in no hurry to retrieve it. “Never mind, you can keep it,” he joked as he left the foyer with rapper-like swag.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
