My only dream is to win wrestling gold for India in London Olympics: Sushil Kumar

Sushil Kumar, who was the flag-bearer for India in the London Olympics says that he will give every bout his best shot, says a report in Hindustan Times. “My strength and stamina are my plus points, and training at a high-altitude camp in Colorado Springs, US, has helped me build on both. I was to go to Belarus before coming to London, but due to a delay in getting the visa, I’ll now be going to train there after the opening ceremony,” said the grappler, adding that he is more experienced and confident this time, but otherwise, just as excited and proud to represent his country.

“I hope London is as lucky for me as Beijing. My only dream is to win gold for my country. In fact, every Indian wrestler stands a good chance of winning since we’ve all defeated big players to qualify. I hope we come back with more medals this time,” said Sushil, adding that if his body supports him, he would love another opportunity to represent India.

Meanwhile Hindustan Times writes that as Indian archers kicked off action on Friday in London, there is transformation and hope in the air. “India dismissed as third class around this time every four years, have risen to world class in many other sports as reflected by its 81-member contingent. In Athens, Rajyavardhan Rathore won a silver medal in double trap shooting to pull India a rung up after the solo bronzes they had managed in the previous two Games. Abhinav Bindra then showed in Beijing how it is done, becoming India’s first individual Olympic champion. Boxer Vijender Singh and freestyle wrestler Sushil Kumar won bronze medals to wipe out, to a great extent, any inferiority complex Indians had when it came to contact sports,” says the report, adding that the mood has changed to such an extent in the Indian camp that in London, Chinese badminton players won’t be spoken of in hushed tones while discussing Saina Nehwal’s chances.

“Bindra, Vijender and Sushil are there while Leander Paes, the 1996 singles bronze medalist, also knows how to win on the hallowed Wimbledon courts. Starting with the 1952 Helsinki Games, independent India has managed just seven individual medals. In London, don’t be surprised if India find itself in seventh heaven,” adds the report.