KOLKATA: Fresh from winning her first gold medal at the biggest stage, Deepika Kumari might have emerged India’s biggest Olympic medal hope in archery but the teenager wants to take it easy for the London Games.
There are lot of expectations from her with the fancied men’s team yet to qualify for the July 27-August 12 extravaganza, but Deepika says she is staying focussed on giving here best.
“I don’t want to rush after an Olympic gold. I want to reach a stage where I deserve a medal. But I don’t want to return empty-handed from London,” Deepika told reporters today after returning from Antalya.
At the World Cup Stage II, the Ranchi youngster defeated Korea’s Lee Sung Jin 6-4 for her first gold medal at the World Cup.
“I had won silver (in the senior circuit). So, naturally I’m very happy on winning the World Cup, which will remain a precious moment in my life.
Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar might have qualified after two missed opportunities but the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist said his confidence never wavered during the rough phase and the grappler is now eyeing a gold in the London Games.
Sushil put Indian wrestling on the world map after winning the bronze at Beijing four years ago. In 2010, he stamped his authority by clinching the World Champion title in the 66 kg freestyle competition at Moscow, Russia.
However, what followed was a series of poor performance as he first failed to defend his title at the 2011 World Championship and then could not qualify for the London Games at the Asian qualification event last month.
But Sushil finally answered his critics when he earned his ticket to London, wining the gold medal at the World Qualifier in Taiyuan, China to make his third successive appearance at the mega event.
“I will give my best and I am confident of doing better than last Olympics,” said Sushil. (PTI)
