CWG 2022: 'Koshish karne waalo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti'; either Vinesh, Sangeeta or I will surely win an Olympic medal for India, says Geeta Phogat

Commonwealth Games 2010 glory are still fresh for Geeta Phogat. Geeta had won India’s first-ever gold medal in women’s wrestling at the CWG, defeating Australia's Emily Bensted in the final in New Delhi, 12 years ago. With the Indian wrestlers hitting the mats at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Friday onwards, Geeta, who is eyeing an international comeback after having her first child, is confident India will win the highest number of wrestling medals at the Games this time. Geeta also feels a CWG medal for cousin Vinesh Phogat will give Vinesh, a medal favourite, a lot of confidence for the Paris Olympics. Expectations will be high at CWG 2022 from Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya, Olympic bronze winners Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat.

Read AlsoCWG 2022: Time for strong mat finish in wrestling at Birmingham

For some of the Indian wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, this could be their swansong Commonwealth Games. No, they haven't announced their retirements, there's another reason altogether.

In the 2018 CWG at Gold Coast in Australia, Indian wrestlers won 12 medals - 5 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze. This time, in Birmingham, especially with no shooting, Team India will be banking on the wrestlers to boost its medal count. With the wrestling action beginning at CWG 2022,

TimesofIndia.com

caught up with veteran wrestler Geeta to talk about India's medal count in wrestling, Vinesh's comeback, Olympic pressure, and much more...

(The Phogat sisters Geeta, left, and Babita - TOI photo)How difficult is it for a female wrestler to make a comeback after motherhood?When I was pregnant, I always used to think of the comeback. I wanted to play again and win a medal for my country.