It would be fair to say that the ongoing tussle between Narisngh Yadav and Sushil Kumar has overshadowed the tremendous success of the rest of India’s wrestling contingent. With eight wrestlers across all categories qualifying for Rio, this will be the first time that the country will have representation in each format. And that is a far more important story than the Narsingh-Sushil saga.
Yogeshwar Dutt is set to participate in his fourth straight Olympic edition. A picture of consistency, his bronze medal in London was a fine example of what real progress looks like. Going from an ‘Akhada’ in Bhainswal Kalan, Haryana to the Athens ring in 2004, the 33-year-old has won five gold medals in as many international events to strengthen his challenge for the top spot in Rio.
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Currently participating in the 65 kg freestyle category, Yogeshwar has declared that 2016 will be his final Olympic event. This is the end of an era; Dutt is the only Indian wrestler to have qualified for four straight Olympics.
He said, “The only goal in my life now is to win gold for India. I have been working very hard towards this and the results so far have been positive. This will be my last Olympics as I know I cannot push my body any harder. I’ve had five operations on both my knees, including a torn ACL. Hence, it will not be feasible for me to continue after, but at Rio it is gold or nothing.”
After the weight category reduction in 2014, several wrestlers had to switch to unfamiliar weight categories. Sushil Kumar gained eight kilos to reach Narsingh’s 74 kg category, and an injury forced the former to lose his Olympic qualification slot. However, Yogeshwar’s jump from 60 to 65 kg has been a seamless and fruitful one, despite several long term injuries.
Now in the form of his life, the Sonepat-based wrestler could be India’s best bet for gold in Rio.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda at the Rio contingent camp, Yogeshwar spoke about his current training regime, the Sushil-Narsingh controversy, the importance of Pro Wrestling league (PWL) and his post-retirement plans. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Q. Firstly, how has your Olympic training been going?
Ever since strength building began in 2014, I have been concentrating on getting used to various nuances in my new weight category. High altitude training in Georgia helped me garner the stamina required in 65 kg. In my first few events, I could match them (my opponents) for strength, but I was not able to be consistent across all rounds. Now with this new training method, I was able to last all rounds without any worries.
The advantage of training abroad is also getting exposure against foreign players on a regular basis. Their styles are different in terms of technique, and that helps you become more versatile.
Q. Since 2014, you have been competing in the 65 kg category - five kilos higher than your London bronze medal category. How different has it been?
Gaining weight the right way was the biggest challenge. I know several wrestlers who were majorly affected by this shift. Hence, it was important I gained more quality muscle mass. So I did a lot of power training before shifting, which helped me adapt a lot quicker.
I would say losing weight is much more difficult, because when you lose weight you’re bound to lose strength. However, I’m very confident in this weight category; more confident than ever before to win a gold medal.
Q. Do you think the entire Narsingh-Sushil quota controversy will affect India’s chances to win a medal in that weight category?
Both are very talented wrestlers and I have been very vocal about this: rules are rules. The person who wins the quota should go. It doesn’t matter who it may be on the other side, everything should be based on merit. Even in 2004, I had won the quota, and the High Court said that I deserve to go.
If we don’t have rules in place then how will we motivate our youngsters? If a young kid does well and qualifies, will we tell him that he can’t go? There have to be rules. And as far as I know, the WFI never spoke about any trials, so the questions of trials doesn’t arise. The person who has won the quota should go. Since 1990, I’ve been wrestling and have never heard of such a special case.
The Federation has been doing a good job and their selection should be respected.
Q. Women’s wrestling has won three slots as compared to one in 2012. Do you think there is a medal there in the future?
Their qualification nature also shows how dominant they were. Two more places indicates they are getting better and better, and they can only get better from here. By the grace of God, we will soon be winning medals in the women’s section as well.
Q. Eight wrestlers qualifying is a record for India. How different is wrestling now as compared to when you took it up in 1990?
To be honest, during that time we didn’t even know what proper wrestling mats were. Now, in every Haryana village there will be a gym and a mat. So you know, that concept of only wrestling in the Akhada is not there anymore. Before we had to prove ourselves on the muddy surfaces without proper gear to reach the top; now even sub-junior wrestlers are provided funding. The room you see here, even such facilities weren’t there earlier.
When we first had a camp in SAI, there were no rooms, nothing; just a mat. So now the facilities are there for a young kid to do better. However, the facilities can be better.
Q. How do you think facilities can be improved for wrestling in India?
There is no limit to providing the best conducive environment for an athlete; it can only get better. If you see honestly, other countries have better facilities than us hence they reach the top quicker. This is the same thing I want to bring in India.
I will be opening an academy after Rio in about two years' time. This particular facility in Haryana will have all the international facilities, so that all wrestlers can come and practise. I have already seen the space, only the work has to begin now.
The Federation has also been helping in finding sponsors.
Q. According to the Indian sports salaries report, you were the highest paid athlete ahead of cricketers MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in PWL. Do you think the league has helped?
I honestly don’t care about the money, for me it's love of the sport. If money is a by-product, so be it. PWL has helped Indian wrestling in a very positive way. During the Olympics and world events, we get to wrestle 5-6 times in the entire tournament. However, here we wrestle with the world’s best wrestlers for months.
That has helped Indian wrestlers a lot - a consistent source of international level wrestling. With more such events, wrestling will get a huge boost.
Q. Despite spectatorship success in urban areas, wrestling still remains a predominantly rural sport. How do you think it can be developed in urban areas?
I guess the major problem is still accessibility. If someone in a village wants to take it up, they know that they will have to go to the akhada, whereas here it’s very different, because you don’t know where to go in the cities. It’s slowly increasing, but if we do see potential here, the urban crowd is very important. It will take time, but I can see it happening very soon.
Q. Both your knees have seen at least five operations in the last two years. Do you think that will be a problem in Rio?
Being very honest, I don’t actually care about the injuries. Tell me one thing: how many athletes return from an ACL and another knee injury in a year? Not many that I know. As I told you, even if my knee tears and I’m on the verge of winning gold, I don’t care.
Pain and the inability to participate are all mental barriers. If you really want it, you will get it at any cost. For me my only target is gold in Rio, by any means. Indian wrestling deserves a gold.
Q. Has there been a change in your training regime since your Georgia return?
I train twice a day with a six-hour gap in between, generally from 9-6 in the morning. As I had said I focussed mainly on strength and stamina exercises as they were required the most. Apart from that I did the normal mat wrestling technique based exercises; that is obviously always needed.
In terms of my diet, I’m fully vegetarian so I always eat paneer, fruits, raita and badam. However, I have to watch my milk intake as it causes weight gain, which might push me above the 65 kg limit. Sundays are genuinely kept for rest, hence I catch up on my sleep.
Q. Any practice events planned ahead of Rio?
Actually there is the World and Asian Championship; I’m yet to decide where I want to go. But I’ll definitely go to one of them as I want to fight against a few opponents that I’m yet to face such as Iranian and Russian opponents.
Q. You were one of the first to voice your concern about IOA’s selection of Salman Khan as the Goodwill Ambassador for Rio. The IOA did listen to you as they brought on other sportspersons too. Your take on the issue?
As I said I never had a problem with Salman; my main problem is with the IOA not getting sportspersons. The Sultan shooting at JLN was another incident, so I want to thank them, because they took my advice and got more sportspersons on board. This will only help spread the message in the right direction.
Q. Your goal for Rio 2016?
It’s simple: gold medal or nothing else. That’s what I’ve been training for and I will not stop at any cost. I want to give my best, and if I do, I’m sure I will win. I think Indian wrestling can win four medals at Rio.
