Happy secure an Olympic quota but I have a long way to go, admits Ravi Kumar

It was nothing short of a dream debut for 20-year-old wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya (57kg) at the World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan. "It’s an honour to see my name alongside these seniors. I have to work hard. After the World Championships, I will focus on training for the Olympics. I want to take it one step at a time," Ravi told TimesofIndia.com in an interview.

"I am happy that I have secured a quota for my country but I don’t want to get carried away. I have to go a long way," he further admitted.

Ravi hails from Nahri Village which has produced another star wrestler Amit Dahiya. "Amit bhai is a senior wrestler. I have learnt a lot from him. We have trained together and shared rooms at camps on many occasions. He often gives me wrestling tips. Whenever I am in doubt, I go and ask him. He is very helpful," Ravi said.

Ravi emerged an unlikely hero for India, as the youngster from Sonipat’s Nahri village qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after defeating former world champion Yuki Takahashi 6-1 in the quarter-finals of his weight category. "It’s an honour for me that I am able to do this for my country. The feeling is special. One job is done (securing the quota), another one remains which is winning a medal for my country," Ravi Dahiya told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview from Kazakhstan.

Ravi lost to world champion Zaur Uguev 4-6 in the semi-finals but became the third Indian to book an Olympic berth at the World Championships. The other two who booked quotas for India are Bajrang Punia (men's 65kg), who also lost in his semi-final bout, while Vinesh Phogat (women's 53kg) won the bronze medal to secure her Olympic berth.