Narsingh Yadav: My story will only be complete with an Olympic medal

The Indian wrestler's four-yer ban for is at an end.

Back in 2016, Narsingh Yadav suffered a huge blow when he was handed a four-year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after failing a dope test.

This took place just before he was about to contest in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Interestingly, Narsingh to this date still maintains that he was a victim of foul play.

However, the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and the mail he received from WADA informing him of the end of his ban now makes him eligible for all future tournaments, which also includes the Tokyo Olympics.

 “I am now free to compete in all competitions. I have informed WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) about the mail from WADA. I have written to the federation to consider me for future national camps in the 74kg category,” Narsingh told the Times of India.

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The wrestler is targeting a comeback at the World Championships, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia later this year. However, winning an Olympic medal still remains his dream and he believes that he still can compete at the highest level.

“I still have it in me. My story will only be complete with an Olympic medal. I believe it is my destiny that this opportunity has come knocking on my door. I am happy, but it is time to train harder to come back in the Indian team.”

WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar has further confirmed that the federation will support the wrestler if he intends to make a return. “The Olympics have been postponed, so there will be some time for qualification tournaments to start. If Narsingh wants to return, we will give him the chance.”

India currently possesses a pool of very talented wrestlers with the likes of Parveen Rana, Jitender Kinha among others can all stake a claim for a spot. However, the competition doesn’t bother the returning Narsingh. “Competition doesn't deter me. If my aim is to win an Olympic medal, I'll have to stave off competition at the national level first.”

Lastly, he spoke of the support he received from his wife Shilpi Sheoran during the last four years, who herself is a wrestler and a Commonwealth Championships silver medalist. “Nearly everyone deserted me. I lost sponsors and friends. But, I never stopped training. I took part in dangals and have kept myself fighting fit,” Narsingh Yadav concluded.