Click to play videoBangalore: It's been less than a decade since Karnam Malleswari became India's first woman to win an Olympic medal, lifting her way to a bronze at Sydney. Since then the sport has seen a shocking decline, dogged by doping scandals.
Now it's upto Monika Devi, the lone ranger to fight not just competition but even the cynics and those critical of India's success.
"The preparation is going on very well. It is my aim to get an Olympic medal," says Monika.
Monika herself has won her ticket after much controversy, a bizarre selection row with allegations of bribery derailed preparations before she could book her place.
"Whatever is happening is happening outside the training centre. Here we concentrate on their training, diet and rest," says her coach, Shyamala Shetty.
Monika's stature has rapidly grown in the sport. She won the silver medal in the women's 69 kg category at the Commonwealth Games and a silver and two bronzes at the Asian Championships in Japan.
"Now she is improving and we are expecting her to win," says Shetty.
However, Monika's combined total of 227 kg in training is way off the Olympic record and she'll have to break new ground to challenge for a medal.
(With inputs from Smriti Advani)
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