Malleswari to skip Asian Games

India's prospects in the Asian Games suffered a setback, with top weightlifter and Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari announcing she would skip the September 27 to October 14 event in Busan.

Citing the reasons for her decision, Malleswari told reporters in Chennai on Friday that she wants to set higher goals for herself as she had already won three medals at the Asian Games.

Also, she said she is left with very little time to prepare for the event as her Russian coach had arrived only a week ago.

"I have won three medals in the Asian Games and since my Russian coach arrived in India last Sunday only, I cannot prepare for the Asian Games in such a short time," Malleswari said.

The ace weightlifter is now concentrating on winning the gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics and has already started rigorous training in right earnest.

"I am hundred per cent sure of winning the Olympic gold for the country," she declared.

Malleswari, who was in the city to participate in a function to create sports awareness among school children at the Vellammal Group of schools, said she will also concentrate on the World Weightlifting championships.