There was an added sizzle to the batch of mangode (a kind of moong pakoda), that Mahadev Sargar serves up at his tea-stall at Sanjay Nagar in Sangli on Sunday morning, although the big frying pan solely earned his distracted consideration. His daughter Kajol Sargar claimed the primary gold on the Khelo India Youth Games at Panchkula, and the street-food prepare dinner’s clients had been the fortunate ones from the Maharashtra metropolis to listen to first-hand accounts of the younger daughter’s exploits in 40kg from her proud father, to go together with their candy tea.
Elsewhere on the outskirts of Chennai in Thiruvallur, V Lokanathan, a carpenter by career, however a weightlifting tragic at coronary heart, felt the beginning of his dream come true, when son L Dhanush, received gold within the boys’ 49 kg occasion having inherited his ardour. Dhanush narrowly missed the youth report mark by one kg, however that solely spurred father Lokanathan to goal greater for his son.
Mahadev Sargar serves Moong Pakoda up at his tea-stall at Sanjay Nagar in Sangli. (Express photograph)
Through their podium finishes, the 2 teenagers weren’t solely lifting barbells thrice their physique weights, but in addition hovering spirits of their households, hoping to carry them out of economic meagre technique of residing.
“My father’s dream is to see me win an Olympic medal one day. He left the sport due to the financial condition of our family but would always save clippings of newspapers. When he took me to coach R Chandra sir, he told him to make me a weight-lifter. He told me that he will work extra hours to save money so that I don’t have to worry about diet. He wanted to accompany me here no matter what the expenses were and it’s his gold medal,” says Dhanush, who began weightlifting on the insistence of his father, a former trainee of two-time Olympian R Chandra.
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Mahadev Sargar in the meantime stored a detailed watch on his telephone whereas serving his clients on the 10 toes by 10-feet tea stall, at the same time as Kajol, 17, medalled with a mixed complete of 113 kgs.
“Hum toh roz chai pakoda hi bechte hain aur yahi karenge, Hamari beti toh bada bada weight uthaati hai aur hamein khushi hoti hai (I only sell tea and pakodas at my tea stall and will continue to do so. My daughter lifts weights and it gives us joy). I told all the morning customers about my daughter’s feat and to get their applause for my daughter is my biggest tip,” an emotional Mahadev Sargar advised The Indian Express whereas speaking from Sangli.
With her father all the time listening to sports activities commentary on radio or his telephone throughout his work at tea-stall, Kajol’s elder brother Sanket would enroll first at Digvijay Weightlifting Academy adopted by Kajol in 2019. The teenager would win the district title in junior class in 2020 other than successful medals at some native occasions. But with the brother-sister duo practising weight-lifting, it meant that the household struggled with funds.
Dhanush, received gold within the boys’ 49 kg occasion having inherited his ardour. (Express photograph)
“My father always wanted us to practice a sport and when he got to know about the weightlifting academy, he got my elder brother enrolled. Later I also joined. At that time, my father would manage the 2 acre farmland at our village while I along with my mother managed the tea stall. Sometimes, I would go straight to training from the tea-stall but I knew if my father can support my dream, then I can also support him in his work,” says Kajol.
While Sanket grew to become the nationwide champion in 55Kg final yr and will probably be within the Indian crew for Birmingham CWG Games, Kajol will probably be cheering for her brother. Coach Mayur Sinhasane too believes that this gold medal will enhance Kajol. “The main thing is to support the training and diet finances. With this medal and also a place in the national camp, she will only improve. Competing in more and more competitions will be the key and hopefully she can bag a berth in Indian team for Asian Youth Championships,” mentioned the coach.
Chandra’s protege
Dhanush had received the gold medal within the youth nationals in Orissa final yr and had a complete carry of 184 Kgs. On Sunday, the Tamil Nadhu weight-lifter hauled a complete of 190Kg with the most effective carry of 88kg in snatch and 102kg in clear and jerk lacking the nationwide youth report of 191kg by one kg. Coach Chandra, who grew to become the youngest Olympian weightlifter from India, when he represented India at 1988 Seoul Olympics, believes that Dhanush can break the nationwide report quickly.
“At the age of 16 years, I would lift a total of 160Kg at junior level. With Dhanush, I did not have to try too hard initially as his father had made him practice some of the basics at their home. Whenever I called Dhanush, his father would listen eagerly and would make notes to tell him later. Lifting a total of 190 Kgs at this age is a good mark and he can certainly improve further from here,” says Chandra.
