Joseph’s name was on the list of probables for the past nine years.
“I am certainly delighted and overjoyed that I have finally made it,” said the 34-year-old Joseph, a sports officer with Bharat Petroleum in Kochi. Luka, a 25-year-old national record holder in 800 metres, is with the P.T. Usha School of Athletics in Kozhikode.
“I owe this award to Usha and her school,” Luka said. The 29-year-old Geethu Anna Jose captained the India women’s basketball team and is currently with the Southern Railway.
“I was a bit tensed whether I will get it this time. Finally,when I heard it, I was overjoyed and so happy,” Jose said.
Diju, 33, is just the second person from Kerala after Vimal Kumar to represent India in the Olympics, while 37-year-old rower Thomas has been waiting for a long time for the honour. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy congratulated the winners and said this was going to give a great impetus to the budding sports talent in the state.
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