Ace triple jumper Renjith Maheswary feels uneasy at being referred to as 'passenger' at big events and says he is determined to shake off the dubious tag in the ongoing Asian Championships and next month's World Championships in Moscow.
Maheswary, who holds the national record of 17.07m when he won a bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, told PTI that he would prove his critics wrong in the next few months as he feels he is in top form.
He could not have a single legitimate jump in all his three attempts in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Japan and 2012 London Olympics, leading to officials making oblique references to him as 'passenger' in the Indian contingent.
Maheswary has qualified for the Moscow World Championships after clearing 16.98m -- his season's best -- in the National Inter-State Championships in Chennai last month.
"I want to make amends of my mistakes though they were not intentional. Which athlete wants to have all foul jumps in such big events? Rather every athlete wants to give their best at the biggest stages," Maheswary said.
"I have not thought much about what people say about me but sometimes it's a bit uneasy. I don't have any grudge against anybody but I think I can prove my critics wrong. I am particularly looking ahead at the World Championships next month to make amends of the London Olympics and Daegu World Championships disappointment," he said from Patiala where he is currently training.
Maheswary, who will be reaching here tomorrow, said he is in his top form after struggling last year with injuries and looking forward to winning gold in men's triple jump.
"I know it's not going to be easy. There is the veteran Roman Valiyev of Kazakhstan, but I feel I am in top form without any injury. I was struggling last year due to injury issues but now I am raring to go," said Maheswary who won a gold in the 2007 Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan.
