NEW DELHI: It's nonetheless a good two years away but recently-crowned Commonwealth Games champion wrestler Vinesh Phogat can't prevent herself from obsessing over the Olympics as she is not only chasing a medal to make up for the Rio heartbreak but also a little bit piece of history for herself.
ALSO READ: Vinesh too good for former world champ
Vinesh was touted because the brightest medal prospect for India within the 2016 Rio Olympics but her marketing campaign led to tears after she was stretchered off the mat owing to a career-threatening knee injury in her quarterfinal bout.
But the 23-year-old grappler from the well-known "Phogat" circle of relatives didn't give up and battled her method to recovery to say her 2nd CWG gold in Gold Coast these days.
"From next year the Olympic qualifiers will start and then preparations for the Olympics. There is still time for the Olympics, but my focus is already at Tokyo," Vinesh mentioned on Tuesday.
Her confidence restored by way of the CWG gold, Vinesh now needs to develop into India's first Olympic gold-medalist in wrestling.
"We have got bronze, we have got silver medals in wrestling in the Olympics but gold is still pending. So, whoever can bring the gold will be the nation's hero," Vinesh mentioned.
ALSO READ: Vinesh Phogat wins CWG gold
Wrestling could be widespread in India however the nation has received only four medals within the ancient sport within the Olympics thus far, which contains two from Sushil Kumar -- a bronze and silver.
"It (the CWG) was my first big Games after the Olympics. People expected a lot from me in the Olympics but I got injured and bowed out. After recovering from such an injury when you finish on the podium, it gives inspiration to other athletes. It was not an athlete's win, India's win," she mentioned of her gold in 50kg girls's wrestling in Gold Coast.
Vinesh first shot to limelight in 2013 during the Asian Wrestling Championships, when she bagged a bronze medal. Her upward thrust to status persisted when she received the ladies's freestyle 48kg gold on the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Since then she has received a minimum of one medal annually, together with bronze on the 2014 Asian Games, silver on the 2015 Doha Asian Championships followed by way of a bronze in Bangkok in the same competition in 2016 and on the other hand a silver in New Delhi in 2017.
Vinesh sounded realistic about her future plans.
"Now my complete focus is on the Asian Games. Before that, we are expected to play two more competitions and then the World Championships. I will try to give my best in all," she mentioned.
"The level of competition in the Asian Games will be much higher than the Commonwealth Games but I hope to claim the gold there too."
In any big match, the level of pressure on Indian sportspersons is quite prime now. Often, big carrying stars buckle beneath pressure but Vinesh says she thrives in scenarios like that.
"I take pressure as people's love towards me. If 125 crore Indians expect you to win than it means there is something in me. I always enjoy and excel under pressure situations because I feel I have it in me," she mentioned.
Born into a wrestling circle of relatives, Vinesh was introduced to the game at an excessively younger age.
"I didn't have time to think about any other alternatives. I was too small but I knew that I am destined for something big. I had the gut feeling that I will do something big in life," mentioned Vinesh when requested was there ever the rest she sought after to pick as a profession.
ALSO READ: Vinesh too good for former world champ
Vinesh was touted because the brightest medal prospect for India within the 2016 Rio Olympics but her marketing campaign led to tears after she was stretchered off the mat owing to a career-threatening knee injury in her quarterfinal bout.
But the 23-year-old grappler from the well-known "Phogat" circle of relatives didn't give up and battled her method to recovery to say her 2nd CWG gold in Gold Coast these days.
"From next year the Olympic qualifiers will start and then preparations for the Olympics. There is still time for the Olympics, but my focus is already at Tokyo," Vinesh mentioned on Tuesday.
Her confidence restored by way of the CWG gold, Vinesh now needs to develop into India's first Olympic gold-medalist in wrestling.
"We have got bronze, we have got silver medals in wrestling in the Olympics but gold is still pending. So, whoever can bring the gold will be the nation's hero," Vinesh mentioned.
ALSO READ: Vinesh Phogat wins CWG gold
Wrestling could be widespread in India however the nation has received only four medals within the ancient sport within the Olympics thus far, which contains two from Sushil Kumar -- a bronze and silver.
"It (the CWG) was my first big Games after the Olympics. People expected a lot from me in the Olympics but I got injured and bowed out. After recovering from such an injury when you finish on the podium, it gives inspiration to other athletes. It was not an athlete's win, India's win," she mentioned of her gold in 50kg girls's wrestling in Gold Coast.
Vinesh first shot to limelight in 2013 during the Asian Wrestling Championships, when she bagged a bronze medal. Her upward thrust to status persisted when she received the ladies's freestyle 48kg gold on the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Since then she has received a minimum of one medal annually, together with bronze on the 2014 Asian Games, silver on the 2015 Doha Asian Championships followed by way of a bronze in Bangkok in the same competition in 2016 and on the other hand a silver in New Delhi in 2017.
Honoured to meet and engage with our Prime Minister Shri. @narendramodi. Thank you for your words of inspiration… https://t.co/lmCGMYjVgr
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) 1525156913000Vinesh sounded realistic about her future plans.
"Now my complete focus is on the Asian Games. Before that, we are expected to play two more competitions and then the World Championships. I will try to give my best in all," she mentioned.
"The level of competition in the Asian Games will be much higher than the Commonwealth Games but I hope to claim the gold there too."
In any big match, the level of pressure on Indian sportspersons is quite prime now. Often, big carrying stars buckle beneath pressure but Vinesh says she thrives in scenarios like that.
"I take pressure as people's love towards me. If 125 crore Indians expect you to win than it means there is something in me. I always enjoy and excel under pressure situations because I feel I have it in me," she mentioned.
Born into a wrestling circle of relatives, Vinesh was introduced to the game at an excessively younger age.
"I didn't have time to think about any other alternatives. I was too small but I knew that I am destined for something big. I had the gut feeling that I will do something big in life," mentioned Vinesh when requested was there ever the rest she sought after to pick as a profession.
Vinesh Phogat wants medal, history in 2020 Olympics
![Vinesh Phogat wants medal, history in 2020 Olympics]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
May 01, 2018
Rating:
