With Indian wrestlers taking to the mat from Friday at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Geeta, who is eyeing an international comeback after having her first child, is confident that India will win the most wrestling medals at the Games this time. Geeta also feels a Commonwealth Games medal for her cousin Vinesh Phogat This will give strong medal contender Vinesh a lot of confidence for the Paris Olympics.
expectations will be high Commonwealth Games 2022 From Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Olympic bronze winner Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.
At the 2018 CWG in Gold Coast, Australia, Indian wrestlers won 12 medals – 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze.
this time, in BirminghamEspecially without shooting, Team India will rely on wrestlers to increase their medal tally.
With wrestling action starting at CWG 2022,
TimesofIndia.com
Caught up with veteran wrestler Geeta to talk about India’s medal numbers in wrestling, Vinesh’s comeback, Olympic pressure, and more…
(Phogat sisters Geeta, left, and Babita – TOI photo)
How difficult is it for a female wrestler to come back after motherhood?
When I was pregnant, I always thought about comeback. I wanted to play again and win a medal for my country. After I had Arjun (Geeta’s son), I had to work on myself a lot. I had to sweat a lot to regain my fitness. When I got a chance in National I gave my best and won silver medal. I analyzed myself. I realized that I need to work hard on my speed and mat work.
You won the gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Take us on a trip down memory lane…
That was a wonderful time. We didn’t have more facilities than what wrestlers get today. Be it facilities, coaches, training, camps, food, sponsors or anything else, today wrestlers get everything. They just have to work hard to reach that level. When I think of those Commonwealth Games, I get excited. That moment (winning the gold) still gives me goosebumps.
I’ve had 99 problems but I’m going to the gym and ignore them all.✌🏽💯🙌🏽 https://t.co/pgMNqfKIRb
— Geeta Phogat (@geeta_phogat) 16589185100000
There is no Olympic medal in the medal cabinet of Phogat sisters.
My father (coach Mahavir Singh Phogat) will not be satisfied until he sees an Olympic medal in our cabinet. Babita has almost given up wrestling. Sangeeta is there. We have high hopes from Vinesh. We are confident that Vinesh will get an Olympic medal for the Phogat family.
He is currently in Birmingham. She is working hard for her Olympic dreams. My father is running a wrestling academy in my village. She has groomed two girls who recently won gold medals at the Cadet Championship and the Junior Asian Championship. He is very passionate about this game even today.
Vinesh’s medal winning at CWG 2022 will surely boost her confidence for a medal at the Olympics…
We are confident that Vinesh will return to the Commonwealth Games with a gold medal. Injury drives an athlete to work harder. Vinesh too has gone through this phase. She won, then she got injured and then came back. She got injured again and then made a comeback. It’s not easy at all. When an athlete is injured, he has to work twice as hard to hit the mat again.
(Vinesh Phogat – TOI Photo)
Vinesh is very strong mentally and physically. She is young and her age is an advantage. He has lots of time. I am sure she will do well in Paris (2024 Olympics) and win a medal for India. He is young. He is mentally strong. He is fit and fresh now. There is a big opportunity for him after the setbacks of the CWG 2022 Tokyo Olympics. I just want to give her my blessings and hope she does well and brings back the medal for India. In fact, I even want to make it to the Paris Olympics (smiles).
Either Vinesh, Sangeeta or I will definitely win an Olympic medal for India. In February, I suffered a ligament injury and had to undergo surgery. I am sure I can make a comeback at the international level. Those who treasure never give up (Those who try never give up).
In CWG 2022, approximately how many medals will Indian wrestlers win, you think?
Indian wrestling team looks strong. I believe every wrestler is capable of making a comeback with a medal around his neck. I just want to wish all the best to every wrestler. Wrestling is undergoing a lot of changes now. Wrestling is no longer the same.
Life is not easy, perfect or exactly what we imagine but we must choose to be happy and grateful for all that we have… https://t.co/IZUMSBVkJS
— Geeta Phogat (@geeta_phogat) 1648106173000
Last year when I was in the National Camp, the Khelo India Camp was also going on. The government had provided world class physios and coaches and facilities to the under-16, under-18 and under-20 children. He was given world class mats, AC hall and food. 10 years ago these facilities were not there. Be it Vinesh, Ravi or Bajrang, everyone had foreign coaches during the Olympics. Athletes benefit greatly from these things and facilities.
There are many athletes who do well in Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships, but fail in the Olympics. Can it be brought under Olympic pressure?
You are right. This is because of Olympic pressure. The Olympics is the biggest stage and there is a lot of pressure. There are high hopes of winning a medal. After the Olympic medal, there is a mental pressure of how to handle things. Such thoughts also come in the mind of an athlete that if he does not win a medal there, then what will people say.
The only way to overcome this fear is to stay focused. The medal should not be on the athlete’s mind. He should just focus 100 percent on performance. We have to live in the present and not think about winning medals in the future.