As the Commonwealth Games opens in New Delhi on Sunday, people in Behrampur performed a yagna and the civic authorities erected hoardings wishing luck to local weightlifter K Ravi Kumar who is participating in the mega event.
Twenty two-year-old Ravi Kumar (69kg category) is one of the bright medal prospects for India.
"I am very much hopeful of a gold medal at the Games," Ravi, who will showcase his skills on Wednesday, said.
On his personal target in the Games, he said he aimed at lifting a total of 330 kg, which is way ahead of the effort required for a gold medal.
"During the training I did a total of 335 kg and I hope to lift 330 kg easily," he said.
People of this 'silk city' are wishing him success in the mega event.
While Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put up big hoardings wishing him success, 'Veer Hanuman Club', from where he had started his career, has performed a yagna for his success.
"His success is not only for Berhampur, but for the country. So we performed a ritual before Lord Hanuman wishing his success," said Narayan Sahu, the president of the club.
A weightlifting trainer at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) at Pune, Ravi had won three gold medals and a silver at the Senior Nationals held in Udaipur in February.
