Want to complete six minutes in Tokyo, says Vinesh Phogat
India’s biggest hope from women’s wresting at Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh Phogat has admitted that finishing six minutes on the mat would be her biggest priority over everything in Tokyo. The wrestler also stated that changing her weight category to a level higher has actually been advantageous for her.
Though not as strong and consistent as she is now, but Phogat was one of India’s prime medal contender in the 2016 Rio Olympics, before her dream was cut short in the quarter-finals when she suffered a career-threatening knee injury. Four years later, Phogat is eyeing to get that challenge first before she went for the gold.
“Hopefully in Tokyo, I will play the entire six minutes of a bout. A lot was left out for me to achieve in Rio. I was not able to play my entire match. There are a lot of things going in my mind regarding the Olympics,” said Vinesh said on the sidelines of the launch of Zee Kushti Dangal, reported PTI.
“So whatever the results, whether I lose or win I want to complete my six minutes. When I do that whatever questions I have in my mind right now will be cleared,” she added.
Phogat has done extremely well to come back from that by winning the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medals last year in the 50kg category. Most recently, Phogat clinched the bronze at the World Championships in the 53kg, after she qualified for the 2020 Olympics.
While the shift up in three kilos was thought to make her life difficult, Phogat has been of the opinion that it has been good for her. “The change in weight category has been advantageous for me. I have won back-to-back medals,” she said.
“I feel everyone is strong in the 53kg category. Japan, of course, is the powerhouse and will also have the home advantage. I would love to beat them and win the gold,” she added.
