Indian para-cyclists eye repeat sweep at Asian Championships
The Indian team starts as favourite at the Asian Para-Cycling Championships and are touted to make all three podium finishes.
Published : Feb 07, 2018 17:35 IST
The Indian team starts as favourite at the Asian Para-Cycling Championships and are touted to make all three podium finishes in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
In the last edition, held at Bahrain, India led by Aditya Mehta had clinched the three medals. Abhishek Shekhu, 25, won gold, silver went to Divij Shah and Harinder Singh took the bronze medal.
“We have been preparing for this championship for a long time. It was a well regimented, planned training that should make us favourites this year too,” Aditya, who is also the coach of the Indian para-cycling team, said before leaving for Myanmar.
“The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has approved all our requests and has been really supportive,” he added.
In Myanmar the Indian team will be represented by last year’s medalists Divij and Harinder. Meanwhile, Kaigoulal who returned empty-handed last year will give it one more shot this year. Fresh entrant Gurlal Singh is also expected to be a strong contender after showing great promise at the trials and practice sessions.
The Indian contingent will also field a strong duo in hand cycling. Madhu Bagri, a former national wheelchair tennis champion who has shifted her focus to para-cycling after AMF's Infinity ride in 2017, and Prashant Arkal will be leading the charge at the Championships.
“We are in top shape and feel really confident as we go into the tournament. I personally will look to change the colour of my medal from silver to gold this time,” a confident Divij said.