Vinesh Phogat may be representing India in her maiden Olympics next month, but that hasn't prevented her from reducing her expectations level any bit as the Balali wrestler will be aiming for nothing but Gold in Rio. The 21-year-old who will be competing in the women's 48kg believes the help she will get from her sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat will help her go long way at Rio. She tells Shubhreet Randhawa on how she not just wants to be the wrestling queen, but the sports queen itself
What is your target for Rio OlympicsIJ
India has already received silver and bronze in wrestling, all I aspire for is Gold. I am not over confident but I am confident about myself. I want to prove myself.
Since this will be your debut Olympics, how do you plan to tackle the pressure aspectIJ
I play well under pressure, but I don't want to take up too much pressure on me.
Since you come from a sports background, with your sisters Babita and Geeta Phogat are also wrestlers, how much that you think that will help youIJ
My sisters Babita and Geeta will be my pillar of support during the Olympics. Babita is from my village and since I will be able to see her perform I will keep advising her during the tournament.
Are you looking to be the wrestling queenIJ
I want to prove it to the nation and especially to the women that wrestling is a good sport. I don't just want to be the queen of wrestling but indeed the sports queen.
What you will do in the last 15 days before the start of the OlympicsIJ
I will try to lose weight and I will keep telling myself I have to get the Gold medal. Plus I have to control my diet and train more. However, during the weight loss, there are chances of getting injuries so I will try to be careful. I would also observe other players and notice how they go about it during the tournament.
How has your recent training beenIJ
The training in Bulgaria and Spain was a good exposure for me.
Where do you draw you confidence fromIJ
I have self-confidence from the time I was a young girl.
Being a female athlete, what will be your message for other female sports personsIJ
I want to be the role model for the women of the country and will aspire each one of them to follow their dreams. I like it if people look up to me.