Muthu faces a tough task in weightlifting

Sydney: T Muthu, the lone Indian representation in the men's weightlifting will try his fortunes in the 56-kg category on the first day of competitions on Saturday.

Though a gold medal-winner at the Commonwealth championship in Melbourne 1999 and silver medallist a year before, Muthu virtually stands no chance to pick up a medal as his best lift till now still falls far short of the world standards.

He also won bronze in the Asian Championship last year in China where he lifted 252.5 kgs, with 112.5 kgs in snatch and 140 kgs in clean and jerk, which is a personal mark.

He qualified for the Olympics as Dalbir Singh (105-kg) suffered a shoulder injury during training. A place in the top eight among the world's best would be an achievement for him.

Indians in fray in shooting competition

Meanwhile, India will take the first shot ever for a medal at the Olympics shooting with Anjali Vedpathak and Anwar Sultan, aiming at the bull's eye in the Cecil Park Shooting Centre on Saturday.

Last minute entrant wild card holder Vedpathak and qualifier Anwar will be seen in action in the women's air rifle and men's trap events respectively. The first gold medal of the Olympics will be awarded on Saturday in the women's air rifle event.

Vedpathak, Anwar and junior world record holder Abhinav Bindra are the Indian challengers in the mega show. Expectations are high particularly on Anwar and Abhinav, who have done extremely well in the international events during the past one year.

The 38-year old Anwar earned a quota place during ninth Asian shooting championship held in Langkawi, Malaysia, in January this year. He shot 119 for a silver medal in the trap event.

He had a practice-cum-competition trip in Italy. Trap coach Marcello Dradi has said, ''Anwar is the best bet. He will be performing at his peak.''

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary general Baljeet Singh Sethi has said that if they perform to their potential they will be in the medal bracket.

UNI