‘Rowers achieved target’

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Rowers Sandeep Kumar (left) and Manjeet Singh avoided the wooden spoon with a 19th-place finish in the lightweight double sculls

The Indian rowers might not have stayed in contention for a medal at the Olympics, but national coach Ismail Baig was satisfied with his wards’ performance in London, saying that they had “achieved their target”.

While Swarn Singh Virk ended 16th in the single sculls, Sandeep Kumar and Manjeet Singh just avoided getting the wooden spoon lightweight double sculls with a 19th-spot finish among 20 participants.
“We trained hard for this competition and we had achieved our target here. I am not a person who will offer excuses. This word does not exist in my dictionary.
“When we came here we had three objectives — improving the timing, bettering performance level and be very focused in the competition. I think we achieved those objectives,” said Baig in an interaction at the Games Village in London.
“Our performance has instilled more confidence and self belief among the rowers. They are now prepared to perform on equal terms in the international arena.
‘I think we lived up to the expectations by performing creditably, finishing ahead of some of the stronger teams. And remember, 30 countries out of 33 did not win any medal in rowing competition,” he said.
Praising Virk for his creditable 16th place finish, the coach said it was a “no mean performance”.
“A fortnight ago, I had said that if India finish among the first 15 in the single sculls event that itself will be a big achievement and we ended 16th. In Beijing, Bajrang Singh had finished 21st in the field of 30, here Swarn was 16th among 33 rowers.
“Swarn did well, he made it to the second round .That is what we were expecting from him. His timing of 6.54 secs in the first round was very good.”
Virk, 23, came out with a fine performance winning a repechage round after finishing fourth in the heats with a personal best effort of 6:54.04 at the Eton Dorney Rowing Centre. He later finished fourth in the quarter-final round and had to compete for the minor placings.
Sandeep and Manjeet finished fourth in the first round heats and then sixth in the repechage. They had to compete for the wooden spoon, which they avoided by beating Egypt.