Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Indian boxer Vikas Krishan is banking on his fearlessness for a medal at the London Olympics.

Vikas, the second Indian after Vijender Singh to win a medal at the World Championships, is seen as a bright medal prospect in the 69 kg category. Vikas, who also hails from Bhiwani, achieved the feat by bagging the bronze in Baku, Azerbaijan last year.

The 20-year-old is now eyeing a podium finish at the Excel Arena, the boxing venue of the London OLympics.

“The only thing that is in my the mind is winning a gold medal. It is the first time I will be competing at the Olympics and I am really looking forward to it. While the team was training in Ireland last month, I was juggling with my practice and exam preparation in India. That actually helped me as I don’t like staying away from home for long periods,” Vikas told IANS in an interview from London.

Though Vikas missed the Dublin trip for his BA exams, he has got the opportunity of acclimatising at the team’s final training camp at the International Olympic Committee centre in Bradford, England. However, the unit Friday checked into the Games Village in London.

What’s going to fetch him an Olympic medal?

“I never fear my opponent even he is number one in the world. I don’t prepare a lot before a bout. I remain focussed on the job at hand and pay attention to my coach’s advice. I don’t watch videos of my opponents unlike most boxers. The philosophy has worked for me so far and hopefully will help me during Olympics,” said the former World Youth champion and 2010 Asian Games gold medallist.

Vikas has come a long way in a decade’s time. He got involved with badminton and athletics as a child before taking up the gloves at the age of 10.

Within six months, he won a gold in state championship and his parents decided it was best for him to pursue the sport. His father accompanied him daily to the Bhiwani Boxing Club.

“During school, he used to take part in athletics and badminton. When he took up boxing in 2003, within six months he won a gold in the state championships. He beat boxers who were two-three years senior to him. He doesn’t fear anyone and you need that trait as a boxer,” said Vikas’s father Krishan Kumar.

Krishan Kumar gets emotional talking about his son’s journey to the Olympics and has made it clear to him that he would settle only for a gold.

Vikas too promises to live up to the expectations of his parents and country, adding a good show by him and his team will further popularise the sport back home.

“Vijender Singh brought the sport into the limelight by winning bronze in Beijing and its popularity will only increase if we win the medals expected of us. I think we should get at least three medals this time around,” he signs off.

(Bharat Sharma can be contacted at bharat.s@ians.in)