India wrestler Sushil Kumar, who has been nominated for the Padma Bhushan, feels loved again and wants to forget about the Rio episode
India wrestler Sushil Kumar is determined to leave the past behind. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
"Whenever my country will provide me with an opportunity to wrestle, I will have to do well," says Sushil Kumar, the man of steel from India's wrestling alliance. The two-time Olympic-medallist — whose demand for a trial to pick the right candidate for the 74kg category bout in Rio Olympics raised eyebrows (leading to rejection) — has been nominated for Padma Bhushan. "I have resumed training in New Delhi," he says with shining eyes.
ADVERTISEMENT
India wrestler Sushil Kumar is determined to leave the past behind. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
His poise and artwork that vanished from the wrestling canvas is likely to be in the revival mode. "You all know what happened during the Rio episode, the world is aware what Indian wrestlers went through. There were a few people who stood by me. Today, once again I feel the love is back, India is with me. Hence, I thought it's time I focus on my future and forget about Rio," adds Sushil, whose name for the same honour was discarded two years ago.
However, Sushil learnt his lessons from the Rio fiasco. "I should have abided by the federation and played in the matches they asked me to (including Pro-Wrestling League). Had I done that, I probably wouldn't have faced what I did. People said I was competing with Narsingh Yadav but that's not the story. I stood for him and I will always support him. He is my mate. Nonetheless, none of us could participate in Rio. I don't think that was a right decision," says Sushil, the only Indian athlete to have won two medals at the Olympics — bronze in Beijing (2008) and silver in London (2012).
A few days ago, Yogeshwar Dutt — Sushil's friend and accomplice — redefined sportsmanship. The Indian wrestler donated his London Olympics medal (upgraded to silver from bronze) to the family of the deceased wrestler, Besik Kudukhov, the actual winner of the silver medal. The incident, which occurred in the 60kg freestyle event four years ago, suddenly turned heads.
"I salute Yogeshwar for his gesture. Kudukhov was a world champion. What is the point in bringing up his dope test after these years? Four years is a long time. He wasn't caught then and today, he is no more. I have shared rooms with Yogeshwar, he kept India before everything else," says Sushil, who also praised Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu too. "I met both of them and told them to maintain the continuity. The medals should be repeated. They saved our nation's honour by bagging the medals at the right time," he adds.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
