PTI
New Delhi, August 29: The coveted Olympic medal eluded him yet again but far from being bogged down, boxer Vikas Krishan says he is now aiming to become the first Indian to clinch two medals at the World Championships next year irrespective of whether a national federation takes shape or not.
The 24-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships — one of only three Indians to have done this, lost in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in Rio.
“It was a good competition for me. I missed the medal but I think my performance was good. As for losing in the quarters, I take responsibility for my performance, I wasn’t upto it that day,” Vikas, who competes in the middleweight 75kg category, said.
“At the time of weigh in, I was 71kg on the day of quarterfinals. I could not compete that well, could not put power into my punches. I think luck was on my side in the initial rounds. I am responsible for what happened in the quarters. I would be looking to improve my weight maintenance,” he said, recalling the 3-0 loss to Uzbek Bektemir Melikuziev.
A major blame for India’s medal-less boxing campaign in Rio has been put on the absence of a national federation for the last four years. Vikas agreed that boxing has suffered logistically because of the mess.
