Family helping me seal Olympic berth: Sharath Kamal

Updated on: 27 July,2011 08:44 AM IST |
Sundari Iyer |

Nowadays for every sportsperson, a support staff is a must. And in this regard, country's ace paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal is no different

Nowadays for every sportsperson, a support staff is a must. And in this regard, country's ace paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal is no different. But the professional (video analyst) who guided the ace paddler to a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games is none other than his younger brother Rajath.

So, in his bid to seal a berth for the London Olympics, Sharath will have his father and uncle by his side as he doesn't have a coach as yet.

Sharath Kamal. PIC/Satyajit Desai

"It's not easy training without a coach as the guidance on smaller nuances matters a lot. But I'm glad that during CWG, my brother was my video analyst.

"While now it is my dad and uncle who will help me with my training," said the Arjuna Awardee at the sidelines of the launch of 'Go for Gold' campaign unveiled by Percept.

Currently ranked 74 in the recently released world rankings, Sharath aims to break into the top 30 before the Olympics in 2012.

A first-round exit in the World table tennis championships saw him lose the Olympic berth by a whisker and he surely wants to make up for it this time around.

"In the last two Olympics, I didn't have pressure but this time I still haven't qualified for it and so I want to be an underdog this time. Also I bowed down under pressure in the World meet," the 29-year-old paddler said.