Doing an encore in London is not something that Sushil Kumar wants to lose his sleep over, but the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist has promised to put in the hard yards to ensure a podium finish in the upcoming Olympics.
“I don’t want to put any unnecessary pressure on me by thinking about the medal. It will hamper my performance in the Olympics. If you think about medal, you are bound to feel the pressure. My aim is to give my best on the mat,” Sushil told PTI .
The grappler, however, added that he has gained in experience since the last Olympics and wants to improve upon his previous showing. “The bronze medal at Beijing, four years ago, has certainly added to my confidence and I am determined to improve my previous Olympic record,” said Sushil.
He also denied reports that he will retire after the London Games. “As long as my body supports me, I’ll keep on performing for my country.”
Sushil said the camp at Colorado Springs has helped the wrestlers improve their speed and stamina.
“The camp at Colorado Springs was very helpful as far as our preparation for the Olympics is concerned. Two-three top European nations were there and we got to test our skills against them. The camp is situated at a high altitude and that was an added benefit.
“We focused on speed, stamina, endurance and foot movement. I am feeling physically and mentally fit for the Olympics. The camp happened at the right time for the Olympic-bound wrestlers,” he added.
