Top Indian athlete Tintu Luka, who was today conferred with the Arjuna Award, said that the coveted honour came at the right time as she guns for gold in the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea.
Luka, who is the current Asian season leader in 800m (2:00.56 in Doha Diamond League in May), said she wants to make amends for her bronze medal finish in the 2010 Games by winning a gold in Incheon.
Luka also went into the 2010 Asian Games as season leader after smashing Shiny Wilson's 15-year-old national record by clocking 1:59.17 at the IAAF Continental Cup at Split in now Croatia but had failed to win the gold in Guanghzou.
"I want to win gold in Asian Games this time and this Arjuna Award has come at right time. The award has given me the motivation and will boost my confidence," she told PTI in an interview.
"I missed gold in 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and had to settle for bronze. This time I am confident that I will win a gold," she added.
Asked if she had anticipated that she would get the Arjuna Award this time after missing out last year when she was also nominated by the Athletics Federation of India.
"There was nothing like I was expecting or not. It would have been the same had I not got the award this time also. But definitely, every athlete feels happy if his or her achievements are recognised. So I am also happy," said a normally media shy Luka.
The 25-year-old Luka was a disappointment at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as she failed to qualify for the finals but she promised to make amends in Incheon.
"I did not do well in Glasgow and that is why I want to do well in Asian Games. Moreover, I am running in the IAAF Continental Cup in Morocco next month and I feel that event will give a very good opportunity to measure myself among the best in the world," she added.
