Field in London Olympics will be very tough but I am feeling in great shape: Sushil Kumar

Beijing Olympics bronze medal winner and India’s ace grappler Sushil Kumar feels that the field in London Olympics will be very tough with the likes of Mehdi Taghavi Kermani from Iran competing in my weight category. “But I am feeling in great shape at the moment and there are no injury concerns either. I think we have one of our strongest wrestling contingents this time around and we can do very well in all weight categories we're competing in,” says Sushil to Times Of India.

Sushil Kumar has gone from strength to strength after winning the historic bronze at the Beijing Olympics. The 29-year-old grappler is now a World champion as well as a Commonwealth Games champion. Now the only thing left to complete his CV is an Olympic gold. Sushil qualified for London in the final qualifying tournament in Taiwan as he clinched gold in the World Qualifying tournament. But that doesn't concern the grappler, who has his sight firmly set on the Games.

Speaking about the pressure, Sushil said, “Pressure is always there when you are representing the country at the Olympics. Everyone I meet expects me to bring back gold from London. But that doesn't have any negative impact, it only motivates you to push harder.”

Talking about he being India's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony, Sushil said, “Wrestling has brought me a lot of honour over the years. The opportunity to be India's flag-bearer is certainly special and a dream come true for me. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to lead out the Indian contingent in London.”

Meanwhile a report in The DNA says that doing an encore in London is not something that Sushil Kumar wants to lose his sleep over, but the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist has assured to put in the hard yards to ensure a podium finish in the upcoming Olympics.

"I don't want put any unnecessary pressure on me by thinking about the medal. It will hamper my performance in the Olympics. If you think about medal, you are bound to feel the pressure. My aim is to give my best on the mat," Sushil said.

The grappler, however, added that he has gained in experience since the last Olympics and wants to improve upon his previous showing. "The bronze medal at Beijing, four years ago, has certainly added to my confidence and I am determined to improve my previous Olympic record," said Sushil who denied reports of retirement after the London experience.