'A huge motivation for many athletes'

Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal when she claimed a bronze in Sydney 2000.

My first recollection of reading Sportstar was going through the feature on the great P. T. Usha in 1992.

I always looked up to the magazine, which was the only quality one to cover all sports in India, especially the in-depth interviews of great achievers, to know how they prepared for the big events, handled the mental pressure and other related issues.

I vividly remember the first time I was featured in the magazine was when I won the World championship in 1995. My mother treasured the centrespread poster of mine in the magazine with great pride and satisfaction for there was no electronic media and to be featured in the Sportstar was a huge motivation for many athletes.

I looked for coverage about myself as it was a part of my evolution, especially when we travelled to big cities like Delhi. We had no other access to news when we were in the camps. It is always a great feeling to read the magazine even now.

(As told to V.V. Subrahmanyam)