After winning 43 medals in the world, and finishing in the top three teams of the world, the Indian women are returning empty-handed but for the CRPF Assistant Commandant's silver in the 48 kg jerk. Karnam Malleswari, twice winner of the World title in 1994 and 1995, and winner of five golds and 6 bronzes in the World meets; Neelam Lakshmi, winner of 5 medals in 1995 and 1997 Worlds; and the highly-rated Sanamacha Chanu are all coming back without medals.

India's dismal show continued on the final day last night when Romi Devi finished 19th overall in the women's 75 kg category, with lifts of 90 kgs in snatch and 110 kg clean and jerk for an aggregate of 200 kg. Xu Jiao of China won the event with an aggregate lift of 247.5 kg.

It is astonishing how a team that won 9medals in 1995, 6 in 1996 and four in 1997 could put up such a disastrous performance. Malleswari was expected to win the gold or silver, so was Lakshmi, as they were lifting incredible weights at NIS, Patiala.