Indians can become world champions, it's Sharath Kamal's dream

Chennai, Mar 6 (UNI) Arguably, in the post G Jagannath, Venugopal Chandrasekhar, Kamlesh Mehta era, who had immense talent but could not rise on the world scene, Tamil Nadu's Achanta Sharath Kamal's progress has been really commendable in comparison.

His latest world ranking of no 86, which was possible because of his impressive performance in the last Commonwealth Games and more recently his runners up finish in singles in IITF Pro tour tournament in New Delhi in late 2006.

And as Sharath himself put it, speaking to the media at a felicitation function for his latest achievement, he is earnestly pursuing a dream: of becoming the first world champion from India.

When asked if he envisaged an Indian becoming a world champion, Sharath spontaneously shot back '' In fact, I am dreaming of it.'' ''And considering the progress I have been making, I am hoping that the miracle will happen to me in the next three to four years,'' the articulate paddler representing Petroleum Sports Control Board asserted.

Sharath said his progress up the world ranking was possible mainly because in recent times, after he started playing more in the world arena mainly through the San Sebastian Club at Madrid in Spain, he had defeated players in world rankings between 90 and 110.

''And now my next target is to break into the top 50 by the end of this year at least,'' said Sharath, who has been primarily coached by his father Muralidhara Rao and uncle Srinivasa Rao, more so by the latter.

Sharath's aim is also doing well at the Beijing Olympics in summer next year. ''I should be doing well there because hopefully I would be among the top 50 by then. I think, this will help me in the next Olympic Games to make an impact,'' 24 year-old Sharath, who is also working hard on his physical fitness, said.

More UNI