Rowers Bhonkanal, Sawarn gear up to make big splash

"The preparation is going well (for the Asian Games). There is a lot of difference in the practise, between what I used to do earlier and now. We are targeting a medal and we have to bring a gold (medal)," said rower Bhonkanal. 

Bhokanal and other oarsmen are training at the Army Rowing Node at the College of Engineering, Pune. He had clinched a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Championships and also participated in the Rio Olympics a year later, finishing in the 13th place. Bhonkanal stressed that there has been improvement in his timing since the 2014 Asian Games held at Incheon, South Korea.

"There is a difference in the timing between 2014 (Asian Games) and now. The timing has improved at every event by 7/8/9 seconds. Since I got a lot of time, I have been able to develop my body," added Bhonkanal. Asked which countries could pose a challenge to India, the rower said "China, Japan, Iran are there." 

"But our coach (Ismail Baig) is getting constant information about the timings given (set) by the players of these countries and in which weather conditions. The coach says there is no problem in bagging the gold," he added. The Indian rowing contingent - comprising 27 men, seven women, five coaches, a manager and a physio - is expected to depart for Indonesia on August 13 or 14.

Sawarn Singh, who bagged a bronze in the 2014 Games, is on a comeback trail after suffering a back injury and recovering from a bout of typhoid two-three months ago. "Last Asian Games, I bagged bronze. But due to back problem, I was out of the sport for two and half years. The Federation supported me. I started it again after the injury," Singh said.

Had it not been for the support from the Rowing Federation of India, he was all set to quit the gruelling sport, Singh said. "Yes, everyone feels that he/she should do better than the past," the rower said when asked whether he would like to change the colour of his medal.

According to Singh, the rowers are fully prepared for the upcoming challenge. "The way we have practised, we are giving (clocking) the level of time given (clicked) by those other countries (rowers). If we give our best time, the result will be good," he signed off.