At Rio, It's Gold or Nothing For Me: Yogeshwar Dutt
In Sushil Kumar's absence, Yogeshwar Dutt will be spearheading the eight member Indian wrestling contingent. In his last Olympics, the grappler is hoping to improve the colour of his medal from the last edition of the Games.
Full name: Yogeshwar Dutt
Born: 02 November 1982
Height: 5'7"
Sports: Wrestling
Country: India
Event: Freestyle
About Yogeshwar Dutt
Yogeshwar Dutt has been competing for India for over a decade, but it's only recently that he's achieved the status of an elderly statesman. With no Sushil Kumar in the squad for the Rio Olympics, Yogeshwar is the seniormost member of the team.
At the Sports Authority of India's training centre in Sonepat, Haryana, youngsters touch his feet, as he enters the wrestling hall which is named after him and Sushil Kumar.  ÂÂ
Four years ago, in London, 'Yogi' became just the third Indian grappler to win an Olympic medal after KD Jadhav and Sushil Kumar. Things have changed since then, like his weight category. In Rio, he will be fighting in the 65 kg freestyle category.ÂÂ
"There is pressure, but that inspires me to do better," he says. "I enjoy that so many people of my country have rested their hopes on me. It's definitely going to motivate me to go for gold. This is going to be last Olympics, and that's what I am aiming for. Nothing less than that."
Over the years, Yogeshwar has shifted his weight category around. His Commonwealth Games and Olympic medals in 2010 and 2012 respectively came in the 60 kg freestyle category. But he didn't take much time to ease into his new weight category (65 kg), winning gold at the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2014
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The grappler is in good form going into Rio, having won gold in the Olympic qualification event in March. "Things changed after my Olympic medal. There's a lot of attention which can be distracting as well," he says. "But what you do on the mat is all that matters on a given day. I just need to give my 100%."
His mother has been insisting on her son tying the knot for the last couple of years. "I've never thought of anything other than wrestling," the pehelwaan smiles. "Nothing till Rio". If successful in Rio, he will become only the 2nd Indian athlete after Sushil to win two individual Olympic medals.
Medals
2012 London Olympics - Bronze 60kg Freestyle
2014 Asian Games - Gold 65kg Freestyle
2010 Commonwealth Games - Gold 60kg Freestyle
2014 Commonwealth Games - Gold 65kg Freestyle