In Rio, Vikas Krishan Eyes Redemption
A bout at the London Olympics four years back left such bad taste in Vikas Krishan's mouth, that he quit boxing altogether. Back in the ring now, the Bhiwani boxer is eyeing a medal in Brazil.
- Suprita Das
- Updated: August 01, 2016 01:00 pm IST
Full name: Vikas Krishan Yadav
Born: 10 February 1992
Height: 5'9"
Sports: Wrestling
Country: India
Event: Lightweight
About Vikas Krishan
Vikas Krishan Yadav believed (he still does) he won his opening bout at the London Olympics against USA's Errol Spence. Five hours after having been declared the winner of the bout with a result of 13:11, the result was overturned.
The Bhiwani boy, 20 years old then, was so distraught, that he quit the sport for a year and a half. "I forgot what boxing was for a year," he says. "I did my police training (with Haryana Police), and spent time with my family. But then I told myself, why are you wasting your time? Boxing is what you do best. You've been a boxer for ten years."
And that saw him return to the boxing ring. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Vikas won bronze. By now, he had moved up to 75 kg, a weight category that once belonged to his idol, Vijender Singh. Apart from hailing from the same village (Bhiwani), like Vijender, Vikas too has won a bronze from the World Championships. Little wonder then that, like Viju, in the futute Vikas wants to go take the plunge into pro-boxing. ÂÂ
But for now the focus is solely on Rio. Vikas is one of just three boxers who have qualified for the 2016 Olympics, as opposed to eight in 2012. "I have won medals at Asian Games, and at the World Championships as well. But I am not satisfied," says Vikas. "Only an Olympic medal will satisfy me. The country has spent so much on me and my training, the least I can do is return with a medal. I feel I owe the country an Olympic medal."
Awards
2012 - Arjuna Award