Olympic heartbreak behind him, Vikas Krishan eyes World C'ships

New Delhi The coveted Olympic medal eluded him yet again but far from being bogged down boxer Vikas Krishan says he is now aiming to become the first Indian to clinch two medals at the World Championships next year irrespective of whether a national federation takes shape or notVikas KrishanThe 24yearold who won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships one of only three Indians to have done this lost in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in RioIt was a good competition for me I missed the medal but I think my performance was good As for losing in the quarters I take responsibility for my performance I wasnt upto it that day Vikas who competes in the middleweight 75kg category told PTI in an interviewAt the time of weigh in I was 71kg on the day of quarterfinals I could not compete that well could not put power into my punches I think luck was on my side in the initial rounds I am responsible for what happened in the quarters I would be looking to improve my weight maintenance he said recalling the 30 loss to Uzbek Bektemir MelikuzievA major blame for Indias medalless boxing campaign in Rio has been put on the absence of a national federation for the last four years Vikas agreed that boxing has suffered logistically because of the messHow I lost in the quarters is my responsibility the federation issue is immaterial there but how can a sport survive without a federation We need more competitions not just abroad but also at home to improve and this is something only a federation can do he pointed outPerhaps resigned to the fact that things may not improve despite the International Boxing Associations AIBA repeated warnings to India Vikas said he would now focus his energies on excelling without the systemThe Rio Olympics wont come back now So I have to move forward I am targetting a medal at the World Championships next year to become the first Indian to win two medals at the world event I will show the world how to win a medal without a federation he saidThe World Championships will be held in Hamburg Germany but the dates of the event are yet to be announced His personal confidence aside Vikas said certain aspects of preparation need to change for Indian boxers to do wellIf we want an Olympic medal we have to start four years in advance not one year before the Games Besides I feel our national camp is short of coaches I think the number has to go up so that there are enough trainers for all the boxersForeign exposure is a must but we also need tournaments in India We need to have good domestic competitions Boxing is declining some urgent measure have to be taken he saidVikas sidestepped queries on his oftstated desire to try himself in the professional arena I am taking a break for the next twothreemonths because I want to spend some time with my family After that I will see what to do next he signed off