‘As for losing in the quarters, I take responsibility for my performance. I wasn't up to it that day.’
‘The Rio Olympics won't come back now, so I have to move forward.'
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 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 achieve the distinction, lost in the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics.
"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 up to it that day," Vikas, who competes in the 75kg category (middleweight), told PTI.
"At the time of weigh-in, I was 71kg on the day of quarter-finals. 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 added, recalling the 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan’s Bektemir Melikuziev.
Much of the blame for India's medal-less boxing campaign in Rio is being laid on the absence of a national federation for the last four years.
Vikas agreed that the sport in the country has suffered logistically because of the mess.
"How I lost in the quarters is my responsibility; the federation issue is immaterial there, but how can a sport survive without a federation? We need more competitions, not just abroad but also at home to improve and this is something only a federation can do," he observed.
Perhaps resigned to the fact that things may not improve despite the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) repeated warnings to India, Vikas said he will now focus his energies on excelling without the system.
"The Rio Olympics won't come back now, so I have to move forward. I am targetting a medal at the World Championships next year to become the first Indian to win two medals at the world event. I will show the world how to win a medal without a federation."
The World Championships will be held in Hamburg, Germany, but the dates of the event are yet to be announced.
His personal confidence aside, Vikas said certain aspects of preparation need to change for Indian boxers to do well.
"If we want an Olympic medal, we have to start four years in advance, not one year before the Games. Besides, I feel our national camp is short of coaches. I think the number has to go up so that there are enough trainers for all the boxers.
"Foreign exposure is a must but we also need tournaments in India. We need to have good domestic competitions. Boxing is declining, some urgent measures have to be taken."
He side-stepped queries on his oft-stated desire to fight in the professional arena.
"I am taking a break for the next two-three-months because I want to spend some time with my family. After that I will see what to do next."
