Amongst all the athletes who are preparing to make India proud at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, superstar female wrestler Vinesh Phogat is oozing with confidence. Hailing from the renowned Phogat family of wrestlers, and the cousin of the international icons Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari Phogat, Vinesh has all the credence to clinch her first Olympic medal this year, a feat she unfortunately missed at the 2016 Rio Olympics due to injury.
With the 2020 Olympics just 5 months away, Vinesh Phogat is putting together her best traits to be displayed on the ring. In an exclusive interview with Times of India recently, the grappler worded in her ambitions for Tokyo.
“I was fully prepared when I went to Rio. But that unfortunate injury dashed my chances. This time, I have experience. If anyone will ask me, what Olympic pressure is then I do have an answer.” Phogat told reporters.
Back in 2016, Phogat sustained a knee dislocation, which caused her to lose against Sun Yanan of China in the quarterfinals. However, the 25 year old believes her experience this time will be an important factor.
She continued: “I have experience of playing an Olympic (Rio 2016). That experience will help me in Tokyo. You won’t see that Vinesh. You will see an experienced and sorted Vinesh in Tokyo. I am confident of a medal-winning finish in the Tokyo Olympics.”
Vinesh has won three golds for India at the international level, two at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the third at the 2018 Asian Games. She secured another gold at the recently concluded Rome Ranking Series in January, defeating Ecuador’s Luisa Elizabeth Valverde in the 53 kg category.
“Winning a medal for the country is always a big thing. Signing off a tournament with a medal and without a medal are two different things. I know I have won bronze but I am happy with my performance. I have got to know my flaws ahead of the Olympics and now will be working on those.” Phogat added.
Phogat won her latest international medal at the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championships this month, competing in the 53 kg Women’s freestyle category. She believes her amazing medal winning spell is lifting her spirits ahead of the main event in Tokyo.
“I am really positive and motivated with this medal-winning performance. This medal is a confidence booster for me ahead of the Tokyo Olympics,” she concluded.
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