03-May-2009 239
Asain powerlifting champion Mandakini Mohanta was accorded a warm reception when she arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar tonight.
Fellow international powerlifter Ranu Mohanty, eminent coach Hari Prasad Pattanayak, State Assistant Sports Director Ashok Mohanty and officials of State Police Academy greeted and garlanded Mandakini for wining the gold medal in the 52kg weight class of the Asian Powerlifting Championship at Udaipur in Rajasthan yesterday.
The lifter from Mayurbhanj district told mediapersons that her next target would be to win medals in the Commonwealth and World Powerlifting Championships to be held in India.
``I hope I would get necessary sponsorship and ideal training facility for the forthcoming international meets,’’ said Mandakini, who joined as a police sub-inspector earlier last month.
Mandakini’s coach Paresh Mohanta was present on the occasion.