Pressure nothing compared to growing up rigours: Geeta Phogat

Geeta Phogat might be feeling the pressure of making a comeback at the upcoming Pro Wrestling League after a long injury lay-off but the celebrated grappler said it is nothing compared to the “tough training” she and her siblings went through during their formative days.

“We had a very hard training during our childhood and I don’t want to live it again. There were so many times when I felt like running away from the akhada. But now that we are bearing the fruits of all the hard work, we understand its value,” recollected Geeta after the unveiling of the new logo and squad of the Uttar Pradesh franchise – UP Dangal – for PWL season 2.

“I am under a little pressure as I am making a comeback after a long time but I am confident as I have a very strong base and never shy away from my training.”

Asked if she felt bad about being recognised more after the release of the movie than when they brought laurels to the country, Geeta confessed: “What I did in 2012 (won a bronze at the World Championship) or 2010 (gold in Commonwealth Games), I am getting recognised for it on today.

“Obviously, it feels a little bad that we are not being recognised for our wrestling but more now that a movie is made on our lives.”

Geeta will be facing the Rio Olympics bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik, representing the Delhi franchise at the PWL-2, but the 28-year-old said she was all prepared to take on anyone in her weight category – 58kg.

“Be it Sakshi or Tunisia’s Marwa Amri (also Rio Games bronze medallist), I am prepared. I have been training.

Sometimes it boils down to a move or two and that makes all the difference. One never knows how a bout is going to pan out and even in last 2-3 seconds things can change. It’s all about applying a technique. And I am working on it,” she explained. Other members of the UP Dangal team – Amit Dhankar, Amit Dahiya and Mausam Khatri – who were also present on the occasion, stressed on the importance of nurturing talent from an early age.