Sushil Kumar’s success has changed the landscape of Indian wrestling, writes Amit Chaudhary
It was August 20, 2008. The environment at the Chhatrasal Stadium was a bit different. Earlier that day, Sushil Kumar Solanki, one of the trainees of the akhara, had won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. Fans and mediapersons had gathered in huge numbers in and outside the stadium. Standing on the sidelines was a 14-year-old trainee wrestler, who was wondering if he would ever be able to attract so much attention by winning medals for the country.
Fast-forward to July 29, 2014. That boy has bagged a gold medal in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Amit Kumar, who won gold in 57kg category, was among the five gold medal winners who made the country proud at CWG 2014. That is the impact of Sushil.
That bronze in Beijing has changed the landscape of Indian wrestling. Today, India is one of the wrestling powerhouses of the world. For junior wrestlers, Sushil is an inspiration, a guide and bhai (brother).
“All these juniors train with us. They have been with us since childhood. Amit was just 12-year-old when he joined the akhara. So, we all train together and help each other in getting better. I tell them what I feel about their technique and how to improve. They also share their observations. So, mil jul ke kaam chala lete hain (we manage with each other’s help),” Sushil, who ended 56-year wait of an Olympic medal in wrestling, told The Pioneer.
“Recently, I met a former Nigeria wrestler Daniel Igali, who later on played for Canada and won gold medal in Sydney Olympics. He told me that Indian team is in top form. It felt very good,” he added.
Sushil, who won gold medal in Glasgow — his second (first one came in 2010 in Delhi). This gold was important because Sushil contested in an upper weight category — 74kg. The 66kg category in which he used to contest was scrapped by FIlA (International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles). He was forced to bulk up his body. It wasn’t easy because of the kind of training Sushil undergoes everyday.
“I am still underweight,” Sushil said. “But I tried to train according to my weight category. I trained with heavier wrestlers. So, that gave me an understanding how much should I attack or defend in 74kg category,” he added.
Among all categories, 74kg is the toughest one since the best wrestlers around the world compete in this category. “It’s a big thing to win in this category. You can’t take anyone lightly. Everyone is of top class. So, you have to train equally hard. Harder you train, better you perform,” 2012 Olympic silver medalist Sushil said.
There are two major tournaments that are coming up — World Championships and Asian Games. It won’t be possible for any wrestler to participate in both. So, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to send two different teams for the two tournaments. While WFI is keen to send its best team to Asian Games, Sushil wants to participate in the World Championships.
“World Championships is a very big tournament. The kind of experience you get from there, you can’t get it anywhere else. One should participate in every World Championship and then use that experience in other major tournaments.“I would prefer World Championships gold over Asian Games because when I became world champion in 2010, it sent a very strong message to the world. We keep winning in Asian Championships; we are a powerhouse in Asia.
“But I will discuss it with my federation before taking any decision,” Sushil, who won gold in 2010 World Championship, said.
It was fitting that Sushil won gold in Glasgow since he, most probably, won’t compete at the CWG again. He is 31 now and it would not be short of a miracle if he can make it to the Gold Coast, venue for next Games in 2018. He himself doesn’t seem hopeful. Asked if Glasgow 2014 was his last appearance at the CWG, Sushil said, “Yes, you can say that.”
“…but I believe as long as your body is working, you should play. There is no other work for you. I am in Railways. Our DM, secretary madam and all other senior officials have told me that I have no compulsions to come to office. I just have to focus on my training. If I am not doing anything, then I can go to office. So, there is no other work for us than to train and play,” he added.
He has also started planning for his post-retirement life. Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has promised him a land to start his wrestling academy. “Hooda ji has promised me a piece of land for an academy in Rai (district Sonipat, Haryana). I will get papers for the land very soon,” Sushil, who wants one of his twin sons to take up wrestling, said.
India has seen a rise in the performance of all Olympic sports in the last decade. Be it badminton, shooting or boxing. But wrestling has outpaced every other discipline with consistent performances. The metamorphosis of wrestling that began with Sushil in 2008 has found fresh, young shoulders of the likes Amit and Bajrang Singh for a secure future.
“They (athletes from other disciplices) all are playing for India. I don’t think we should have any competition with our own athletes. I think in every Olympic sport our players are doing well. I talked to everyone at the CWG village and they all were very confident. They said we will certainly do well bhaiya.
“I would give all the credit to our federation (WFI). Their planning is very good. They know which tournaments we should play because if we play more tournaments, we won’t be able to give our best. So there is a good system in place,” he said.
He also appreciated girls for doing well at the Commonwealth Games. “I must say that girls did really well this time. In the coming years, our girls will certainly make us proud.”