Ramesh Kumar had been preparing for the world championships for more than a year now. Ever since he saw Sushil Kumar get on the podium at the Beijing Olympics, to be precise.

“The fact that I could not participate in the 2008 Olympics still hurts me a lot. I had worked really hard for it. But injuries can’t be predicted or avoided for a sportsman. When I saw Sushil win bronze, I was genuinely happy — but I was also sad that I was not there. I had decided right then that I would make up for it at the world championships,” he said after returning from Denmark.

He kept his promise to himself by winning bronze on Thursday night, defeating Alexandr Burca of Moldova after being tied 7-7 on points. That win has reduced his pain, but not erased it completely. “I am happy but an Olympic medal is something different. My immediate target is the Commonwealth Games next year but my ultimate aim is the London Olympics 2012. I will do anything to win there,” he asserted.

In winning India’s first wrestling medal at the world championships in 42 years — Vishambhar Singh won a silver in 1967 — Ramesh not only ended the medal drought; he also became the only wrestler in the country to win a medal at every level in the world championships, having won gold in the junior and cadet divisions earlier.

“I am happy at my record but I would be even more pleased if someone breaks it. Since I have two gold and a bronze, I would love it if a youngster wins gold at all levels,” he said.

... contd.