Rio will be my last Olympics: Yogeshwar
Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt said that the 2016 Rio Olympics will be his last appearance at the quadrennial extravaganza, and said he was leaving no stone unturned in his quest to sign off with a gold medal.
“Rio will be my last Olympics and I am extremely keen to sign off with a medal. I am all focused on my preparations and aiming for a gold,” said Yogeshwar.
The 32-year-old, however, made it clear that he would not retire after the Olympic Games and might take part in the Asian and Commonwealth Games if his injury-prone body permits.
“I would not be retiring after the Olympics. Fitness permitting, I would still like to represent India in the Asian and Commonwealth Games (in 2018). But, as far as Olympics are concerned, Rio would definitely be my last,” said Yogeshwar, who will turn 33 on November 2.
The 2012 London Games bronze winner said that after the upcoming Pro Wrestling League (PWL), which will take place at various venues across India, he would go abroad for two months to train.
“The next four months are going to be very important for me. After the Pro Wrestling League, I will be going abroad to train for two months. I will either go to the USA or Russia to prepare myself before the next Olympic qualifiers in March,” he said.
Yogeshwar will be participating in the Asian Olympic qualification to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from March 18 to 20 next year.
Having been forced to pull out of the wrestling world championships at Las Vegas last month after being found unfit, Yogeshwar admitted it was a “huge disappointment.”
“I was completely heart-broken and disappointed, and more so because I knew I had a great chance of qualifying for next year’s Olympics during the World championship as I was very well prepared. But, the doctors advised me not to take part and I had to listen to them in order to save my body from further damage,” said the wrestler.
About the fear of getting injured during the gruelling PWL, Yogeshwar said, “I can’t be skipping all tournaments for the fear of getting injured. The Pro Wrestling League will be a good platform to judge where I stand, and I will get to know my shortcomings. One gets to know about his weaknesses only while competing in a proper tournament.
“World-class wrestlers are expected to be here for the PWL and it would be good opportunity for me to fight against at least five to six top grapplers before moving to the knock-out stage of the event. It would be good for me to face some tough competition. As it is, after the PWL, I will have around three months’ time before the next Olympic qualifier to take care of my body,” he said. — PTI
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