02-May-2009 112
Orissa iron-woman Mandakini Mohanta defied several odds, including illness to win the gold medal in the 52kg weight class of the Asian Powerlifting Championship, which commenced at Udaipur in Rajasthan today.
She lifted a total of 340kg, which included 125kg in squat, 70kg in benchpress and 145kg deadlift. ‘‘I lifted 30kg less than my ability as I was suffering from flu for a couple of days. I was also short of practice,’’ the lifter from Mayurbhanj district told orisports.com over telephone.
This was the second international gold for Mohanta, who had won her first in the 48kg weight class of the Asian championship at Alleppey (Kerala) four years ago.
A former ‘Strong Woman of India’, Mohanta made a last-minute entry in the Udaipur Asian meet as her desperate search for sponsorship failed to yield any result.
Mohanta also could not find enough time to prepare well as she found employment as a sub-inspector of police earlier last month.
However, her determination and perseverance helped her overcome all the hurdles and win the gold.
