I try to push the limits to see what I am capable of: Ravi Dahiya
Freestyle wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya is on a roll! Having become India’s first-ever three-time Asian champion, he is, however, in no mood to sit back and relax. But, with his third Asian Championship medal that he clinched recently in Mongolia, he can’t stop himself from saying: “It is a great feeling to play for your country, and then winning, even better!”
“Abhi toh sirf Asian Championships mein medal jeeta hai. Koshish poori rahegi ki aane wale [Olympic] games mein bhi India ke liye medal laun,” says the 24-year-old wrestler, who won in the 57kg weight category. He adds, “Since I’m young, I try to push the limits to see what I am capable of, be it practice time or diet plan. I don’t want any regrets later. Aur humara result aayega toh [usse dekh ke] aur khiladi taiyyar honge.”
The first thought that crosses his mind on winning any recognition is of gratitude — towards the Almighty and his coach, Satpal Singh. Ask if his recent feat spelt a fresh wave of happiness in his village in Haryana’s Sonipat district, and he chuckles, saying: “Maine mana kiya tha kisi ko aane se, because I have to dive straight into the next training. But everyone is very happy. If anyone comes, they are welcome to congratulate me!”
In a tweet, Dahiya called his Tokyo Olympics silver medal his kohinoor, while his display picture is of the aspiration he has set for himself — a gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. How close is he to realising his dream? “Initially, there were no goals, we’d play sports to bunk school! Jab kushti mein ghuse toh laga ki yehi career hai. Jab result aane shuru huye tab goal badhna shuru hua,” shares the Khel Ratna awardee, adding: “There are about two years remaining for the Paris Olympics. It’s my dream to win a gold medal in Paris. There are Asian Games and Commonwealth Games this year, too, and I hope to win gold in both of them.”
The Sonipat-born first came to train at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, when he was all of 11, and he holds his many fond memories of the city close to his heart. “Jo seekha hai, Delhi se seekha hai. My favourite memory is of travelling from Chhatrasal Stadium to the Delhi airport, to board a flight for my first international tournament (Sub-Junior Asian Championship, Mongolia) in 2013. It was a different experience for me and a dream come true,” says Dahiya, who hopes to get a breather in Haridwar or Kedarnath some time amid his jam-packed schedule this year.