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Business News/ Opinion / Blogs/  PLAY THINGS: Iron and lace
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PLAY THINGS: Iron and lace

Yogeshwar Dutt blends strength and finesse in equal measure as he continues his brilliant run, winning a wrestling gold at the Asian Games.

Yogeshwar Dutt (red) fights against Tajikistan’s Zalimkhan Yusupov during their men’s 65kg freestyle gold medal wrestling match at Dowon Gymnasium during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon on 28 September. Picture: Tim Wimborne/ReutersPremium
Yogeshwar Dutt (red) fights against Tajikistan’s Zalimkhan Yusupov during their men’s 65kg freestyle gold medal wrestling match at Dowon Gymnasium during the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon on 28 September. Picture: Tim Wimborne/Reuters

It was a long time coming. 28 years to be exact, and who better than Yogeshwar Dutt to bring in India’s first gold medal in wrestling at the Asian Games since 1986. Dutt, 31, has had a fantastic run since he made his way back into international competition after a career-threatening injury in 2009 that put him out of action for a year. Since then, he has won a medal at the 2012 Olympics, breezed through to the gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and has now finished on top at Incheon. With every win, Dutt gets closer to his final ambition as a wrestler—to win a gold at the Olympics. Edited excerpts from a telephonic interview:

You gave up your place in the team for this year’s wrestling world championship to compete at the Asian Games. That decision worked out perfectly for you.

Yes, it was not possible to compete at both the world championship and the Asian Games because they were only a week apart. I had decided pretty early in the year that I would go for the Asian Games because it happens only once in four years. Next year, I will be at the world championship well rested and free of any other burdens, but I will probably not be at the 2018 Asian Games—I will be too old! This gold has been my dream for many years, I could not be happier. Especially since I moved up to 65kg from 60, and this is my first major competition in the new weight-class. I was nervous that I would not be able to adjust to the added weight in time.

The Asian Games has a special meaning for you. In 2006, you won a bronze here, your first medal at the top-most level of competition.

There is a lot of personal history in this. In 2006, just one month before the Asian Games, my father fell very ill. I remember I used to finish the morning practice and rush to the hospital to meet him. Then two days before I was set to leave for the Games, my father passed away. I was completely broken. I refused to go for the competition. My mother and many others in the family were stronger than me, and they pushed me to go. They told me that this was what would have made my father truly happy and proud. So I went. I don’t know how I fought. I won the bronze, but there was no happiness. I was just blank. Ever since then I have wanted a gold at the Asian Games so I can dedicate it to my father. This one is for him.

You are almost at the end of your career. Sushil Kumar and you started at the same time, and trained together all your life. Most people thought your career was over in 2009 after you had an injury, but you seem to have come back better and stronger than ever before.

Thank you for saying that. I think I thought myself that my career was over in 2009. I remember losing (in the quarter-finals) at Beijing (2008 Olympics). I thought that I was at the absolute peak of my abilities when that happened, and I thought that I would not get that chance again. Then in 2009 I had a torn ligament in the knee. I was out for almost a year. I could not compete in the Asian Games (in 2010). But then I won a gold at the Commonwealth Games (in Delhi, 2010), and I started thinking, ok, maybe I can do this, I can get better. Injuries can sometimes change things for the better! Look at Bajrang as well—he came into the team after my injury and now he is one of India’s best wrestlers. He won at the world championship last year, and now at the Asian Games as well. He is fantastic.

Then you won a medal at the 2012 Olympics…

I wish it was gold but I am glad I could win an Olympic medal. Who does not want one? Hopefully, I will be able to carry on till 2016 with this form and get a gold.

I have never seen you more aggressive on the mat. You have made the leg-lace your own.

I have always loved that move. I used to do it in village competitions also when I was young. But it’s not just the fitley (leg-lace). Now my whole wrestling style is based on attacking fast and hard. I take more risks now. So far it has worked out. I must thank Mittal Champions Trust, and now Olympic Gold Quest, for backing me and giving me all the help I needed to come out of the injury and get stronger and faster.

What’s next?

A little bit of rest, I think. Then I will start planning for the next two years, so that everything leads up to the Olympics (in 2016).

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Published: 29 Sep 2014, 03:53 PM IST
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