‘I have self-belief; I feel there is nothing that I can’t do’: Vinesh

TIL Desk Sports/ The knee-injury which cut short her Rio Olympics campaign had left Vinesh Phogat writhing in pain, but the tears in her eyes on Monday after winning a historic gold medal at the Asian Games had a different meaning. Vinesh was stretchered out of the wrestling arena at the 2016 Rio Games after suffering a horrible knee injury and what followed was a long painful period of rehabilitation.

She rued the missed opportunity but decided not to break down and started her journey all over again. “I had targeted gold. I had 3-4 silvers at the Asia level. So I was determined to win gold today. My body responded well. I had trained well and God was also kind to me. Everything fell in place for me today,” said Vinesh, her eyes moist, after winning gold in the 50 kg freestyle category.

“Injuries are part of an athlete’s career. It is difficult, both emotionally and physically. But I shrugged off everything to deliver some good medals recently. Someone has said an athlete becomes strong after injury and I feel I indeed have become stronger than before,” she added. “I work on this but I am like this from childhood. I have always been rough and tough. I take risks in life and they pay off. I have self-belief. I feel there is nothing that I can’t do,” said Vinesh, who won gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year.