Ramesh Kumar targets Commonwealth gold

He went to Denmark with a heavy baggage of hopes, raised by Sushil Kumar's exploits at the Beijing Olympics.

He went to Denmark with a heavy baggage of hopes, raised by Sushil Kumar's exploits at the Beijing Olympics.

And he returned light with a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championship in 74 kg freestyle category.

Ramesh Kumar is all smiles after arriving at the New Delhi airport last night. pic/subhash barolia

Ramesh Kumar is a relieved man now.

Media spotlight is not what the 27-year-old grappler is used to. But on his return, the cameras, dhol, sweets came as a welcome break from the sweat and toil in the arena.

"I just hope that my victory will encourage more to become champions and take up the sport," he told MiD DAY, wearing a huge garland round his neck and surrounded by supporters after arriving late last night.

He admitted his disappointment at losing out on the gold medal yet has plans already in place for the next year's Commonwealth Games.

"I will try for a gold at the Commonwealth Games in front of home crowd," Kumar said.

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