Boxer Vikas Krishnan wants to set example for his kids by returning with medal from Tokyo Olympics

Vikas Krishnan, a silver medal winner at the Asian Boxing Championships, is eager to return with a medal from the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics so that he can inspire his children to achieve greater feats. The amateur boxer had turned pro last year but has taken a break to compete in the Boxing Qualifiers that is currently underway in Jordan.

Competing in the 69 kg weight category, Krishnan will begin his quest to play in Tokyo on Friday.

The athlete opened up about the importance of boxing in a chat with The Olympic Channel, talking about his biggest inspirations, and how he himself wanted to inspire the younger generations.

The reigning Commonwealth Middleweight champion, Krishan Vikas (@officialvkyadav) has returned to amateur boxing with dreams of a gold medal at #Tokyo2020@IndianOlympians @BFI_official

Get the full story and watch his qualification rounds here ? https://t.co/5KdVEiub1G pic.twitter.com/khcwGy77wV

— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) March 5, 2020

“I love Muhammad Ali and I love Mike Tyson, and the way they have sacrificed. I have a lot of respect for all the boxers, because they too have sacrificed a lot.”

The Bhiwani-based boxer has turned out in two pro bouts in his career thus far. He won his debut bout as a professional boxer last January after he defeated Steven Andrade 1-0, and then won his second game against Noah Kidd a few months later 2-0. Krishnan emphasised how turning pro has helped him remain fitter. “Professional training has made me tougher. Amateur boxing is touching and scoring, while pro boxing is hurting. Earlier, I was scared before going into the ring, but now I don’t have any fear of punching as I have taken hard punches myself.”

Elaborating on his plans for the Tokyo Games, Krishnan stated, “I have sacrificed a lot. I am away from home and I am missing my children but I have to make India proud in the upcoming Games.”

Krishnan plans to turn a full-time professional boxer after Tokyo, which will allow him a last chance to turn out for India at the mega event. This will be the Haryana boxer’s third attempt at winning an Olympic medal. He had been eliminated in the preliminary round at 2012 London Olympics and went down in the quarter finals of the men’s middle 75 kg boxing event in Rio. “This will be my last Olympics, and I don’t want to end with any regrets.”

“I want my babies to take me as an example. I want them to point at me and tell their friends that their father is an Olympic medalist.”