Every time the Indian wrestlers gear up for an international event, champion grappler Sushil Kumar’s presence or absence in the side makes news.
For more than two years, the two-time Olympic medallist has picked only a few important events and delivered results. And often, he is misunderstood for this.
Barring an exposure trip to Italy this year, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was the first event for Sushil after his silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics. Following his second consecutive gold from the Commonwealth Games, Sushil sought to dispel several misplaced notions and shared his future plans.
“The Commonwealth Games victory this time was very special. My sons, wife, mother — almost the whole family was there in Glasgow. My mum watched wrestling for the first time,” Sushil told The Hindu on Sunday.
Shoulder injuryDespite the distractions due to the post-CWG celebrations, the former world champion has never let his focus waver from his next target — the Incheon Asian Games. “I have won the Asian championship in the past, but could not participate in the (last) Asian Games due to a shoulder injury. That is my motivation.
“Very often I pick up shoulder injuries. The doctor had suggested that I get operated. But I knew that if I had this surgery, then the risk of getting injured would increase and it might hamper my career.
“The injury has been troubling me even before the Olympics. I had problems in qualifying. I did not know when I picked it up.
“I kept on training, thinking that it will be fine. It cost me a lot. Had I rested at the right time, then I would have qualified (for London Games) in the first qualifier itself.
“Later I managed it well and allowed myself to peak at the right time to get the Olympic medal. Then I remained out of action as I was not fully fit. If you are not fit, you cannot produce results.”
Backs WFIThe 31-year-old wrestler backed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over a recent controversy surrounding the selection policy for major events.
“In the Russian system, the top quality wrestlers are kept in the training camp. They train well, maintain discipline and get to participate in big events.
“If you conduct wrestling trials for every event, then the top wrestlers might pick up injuries. The best wrestlers were sent to the Commonwealth Games and that is why we got the maximum number of medals from Glasgow. The top bosses in our federation understand these nuances.”
Revealing his plans for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sushil said, “I have already planned how to approach the Rio Olympics. I want to train abroad for few periods of three months each. My main focus is to do well in the Olympics.”
