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  I faltered under pressure: Vikas Krishan

I faltered under pressure: Vikas Krishan

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Sep 7, 2016, 12:28 am IST
Updated : Sep 7, 2016, 12:28 am IST

Boxer Vikas Krishan rued that the pressure of expectations and a lack of power played a crucial role in his quarter-final exit in the 75kg category to eventual silver medallist Bektemir Melikuziev at

Boxer Vikas Krishan rued that the pressure of expectations and a lack of power played a crucial role in his quarter-final exit in the 75kg category to eventual silver medallist Bektemir Melikuziev at the Rio Olympics.

“Pressure was huge. I was compared with Vijender Singh as I was in same weight category and had given the same performance.

The bout was on August 15 and India had not won a medal which made me even more desperate but I couldn’t perform to my best,” said Krishan here on Tuesday.

“I found something was lacking. The final weight I gave was 71 kg while my opponent was 75 kg. There was difference in power. I felt the need to build weight and power to be more effective. In 69 kg it was more about speed but in higher weight categories focus is on power,” he added.

The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games gold medallist made it clear he would not turn professional before winning a medal for India. “I am very sad I could not win a medal. I will continue in the 75kg. My aim is to win in the Olympic Games. I will not think about turning pro till then or until someone pushes me out,” he said.

The Bhiwani pugilist rued boxing suffered because of India’s unrecognised boxing association following the collapse of Boxing India but hoped that boxing will flourish again.

“We suffered because of no federation. But JSW supported me. Now Boxing Federation of India will come and I hope the sport will flourish,” he said while remaining non-commental about the BFI elections slated here on September 25.

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra who created history by becoming the first Indian to become a world champion at any level when he won a gold medal at the U-20 World Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, said he could have won medal at Rio but now Tokyo was his target.