Yogeshwar Dutt gives India its fifth medal at London Games, wins bronze

Despite a badly swollen eye, Yogeshwar Dutt fought three repechage bouts to win an Olympic bronze at London Games on Saturday. The medal in the 60kg category firmly tucked in his pocket, the Sonepat-born grappler was the happiest man. And it was not just because he had won the medal; it was also because he was able to fulfill his late father's wish, says a report in Hindustan Times.

Before his father expired on August 3, 2006, he had expressed the wish that he wanted Yogeshwar to win a medal at the Olympics. "I am very happy today. I have fulfilled my father's wish. It is a dream come true," said the grappler, who defeated North Korea's RI Jim for bronze.

Meanwhile according to a report in The Times Of India, Yogeshwar Dutt was clear about one thing -- the only reason he took the flight to London was to win an Olympic medal. There were no two ways about it as before leaving he had said, "If I had won a medal in Beijing, I would have possibly quit by now. It is the desire to win an Olympic medal that has kept me going all these years."

The journey began almost two decades back in Sonipat, where Yogeshwar took up the sport inspired by the famous Balraj Pehalwan, who also hailed from his village. His entire village -- over 400 people -- turned up at his house to watch their favourite son in action on Saturday. But Dutt's family was busy praying instead of watching his bouts.

"We didn't watch any of his bouts after he lost to the Russian (Besik Kudukhov). My mother was busy praying for him -- we thought if he missed out on gold at least he can bring back a bronze," his brother Yogender told TOI on Saturday night.