Being away from nine-year old son, specially when he is growing up and his father is also away, is really painful for the mother, said Krishna Poonia, the women discus gold medalist who broke India’s 52-year-long jinx in the track and field event of the Commonwealth Games a day ago.
But the lady who won a gold after Milkha Singh earned the top spot in men?s 400 metre in 1958, hastily added: ?But all these pain and fatigue vanished when I won the gold for the country Monday.”
“All the sacrifices I did were well compensated when beside winning the top spot we could make a perfect 1-2-3 by winning the silver and bronze as well,? she said.
The journey of the Haryana woman from the Inter college meet where she was spotted first about ten years back to Commonwealth gold was quite arduous .
In fact Krishna was out of sports for three years because of injury and she was thinking whether to leave sports altogether.
It was because of encouragement and constant support she received from her husband Virender Poonia, who is also her coach, that Krishna could make a comeback to the competition arena.
Asked at a media conference whether her son complains of missing her company, Krishna said: ?My son is just nine years old. Despite being so young he never complained my absence from attending series of coaching camps, both in home and abroad.”
“Virender is also out for coaching assignments, ? she said.
? I dedicate this gold to my son,” Krishna added.
Krishna also gave thanks to other members of the joint family she live.
“We live in a joint family. Since me and Virernder have to be out for a long time to attend camps and take part in competition, our son is looked after by them. Even being away we are not worried for our son,? she said.
?When I come home after a long gap, my son only asks for medal and I am happy that I could give him the gold this time,? Krishna said.
Krishna?s son Lakshya, who studies in fourth standard, watched her mother in action Monday. He said: ?I will take the gold medal my mother has won to my school and show it to my friends. When I grow up I will also join sports and win medals like my mother,? the young boy said.
Krishna informed that her company with Lakshya would be very brief again as she would be away at the camps to prepare for the coming Asiad just after the Games.
Krishna hopes the India thrower troika would be able to repeat their show at the Guangzhou Asian games next month.
Krishna was also happy that Milkha Singh, the top Indian athlete of his time, met her after the victory and congratulated the trio for their success.
Commending the unique success, Milkha Singh said: ?The baton has now passed from me to these young achievers. I have known as the face of atheletics in India. But now I am happy that young people have come up and taken my place.”
“Winning the gold after 52 years is itself a great achievement. And winning all the three medals of the same event is something all the Indians should be proud of, ” the flying sikh added.