Yogeshwar Dutt Interview: "I had to make it happen"

It’s difficult to follow your dream. However, it would be a tragedy not to. A winner is one who follows the dream, and doesn’t stop till it comes true. Yogeshwar Dutt is one such winner. The man’s sole ambition over the last 21 years was to win an Olympic medal for his country, which he was finally able to achieve this summer after the sheer hard work and sacrifices he put in. His belief in himself din’t go unrewarded, and after becoming a national hero with his performances on the wrestling mat, we caught up with Dutt for an exclusive interview:

First of all, congratulations on your fabulous performance at the Olympics! This may sound like a cliched question, but what was your first reaction when you realized you had won?

I was thrilled of course. I knew I had to win this medal. It was like a do-or-die situation for me. The moment I held my medal, I knew I was living my dream.

You had a difficult draw; how confident were of bagging a medal before the event started?

I knew I had to fight some past Olympic medalists and other great players, which did bother me a little, but I knew that this was my last shot at Olympics glory, and I somehow had to make it happen.

Was the Beijing loss playing on your mind when you were going through the repechage?

Well, the past does hang around a little in your head, especially when you are faced with similar situations. I did not win a medal in Beijing, and therefore I knew that I had to pull it off this time. I suffered a severe injury on my leg after the competition which could have shortened my career. But now that I have got a medal, I am sure of doing better in the future.

In the second round of repechage you lost the first period 0-3.What were you thinking at that time and what sparked that brilliant comeback?

God has really been kind. Not everyone gets this kind of opportunity, but since I had sincerely worked all my life to win a medal at the Olympics, I guess it had to happen. I didn’t want to let go waste of that opportunity. I knew my country was expecting me to win a medal, and my inner voice and will gave me that extra push to make that comeback.

That picture with you holding a medal while sporting a swollen right eye became the definitive picture of the Olympics for all Indians, and a great source of inspiration for a billion people. Do you agree that because of the sheer physicality of contact sports, the effort and pain required to do well in them is more visible to the common public?

Well, contact sports are all about injuries. I am pretty used to it by now. I don’t really bother about how I look anymore. But yes, I think that when people see you hurt and bleeding, they know how hard it is.

How much did your eye injury bother you in your final match?

Well, I had to make sure that the swelling had decreased before the finals, so I had to apply lots of ice. The injury as such didn’t bother me a lot, since as I said, I am pretty used to them. However, I was careful to make sure that there was no more damage.

What kind of relationship do you and Sushil Kumar share? Do you look up to him for inspiration, or do you share a more peer-like camaraderie with him?

He is a great sportsman, and like an idol figure for all other wrestlers. He is a great human being, and I respect him a lot. He is a constant inspiration for me.

Do you agree that not enough recognition is given to sports-persons in India until they win any big event?

Yes, that’s true. You have to work really hard to earn recognition in India, and there are some who don’t get it even despite their efforts.

Do you think wrestling is a region-specific sport? Why do you think wrestling is not as popular all over India as it is in the north?

Well, to a small extent, yes. Not many take up the sport professionally because wrestling is a contact sport. One should be willing to get hurt and suffer those injuries, and get beaten sometimes, which is hard for many. Also, I think that the Government should take steps to promote the sport, and provide proper facilities to those who are already in the sport, so that they can pursue their passion without facing any difficulties. That would bring better results, as they could then focus on their game.

What next for you? Do you plan to compete in the 2016 Games in Rio?

Hopefully, yes. My win has given me a lot of confidence, and I am willing to work even harder than before to grab the Rio gold.