Vinesh targets gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Vinesh was touted as the brightest medal prospect for India in the 2016 Rio Olympics but her campaign ended in 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 famous “Phogat” family didn’t give up and battled her way to recovery to claim her second CWG gold in Gold Coast recently. Her confidence restored by the CWG gold, Vinesh now wants to become India’s first Olympic gold-medallist 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 said.

Wrestling might be popular in India but the country has won only four medals in the ancient sport in the Olympics so far, which includes two from Sushil Kumar — a bronze and silver. “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 said of her gold in 50kg women’s wrestling in Gold Coast.