His stature as a wrestler is unquestioned while his behaviour as a soft-spoken athlete is a thing to be revered. Sushil Kumar, a humility personified, not only instilled life into the game by winning the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but also kept the sport into persistent limelight by winning different events, including the gold in World Championships just prior to the Commonwealth Games.

Despite his success at the international level, Sushil — the former World, Asian and Commonwealth champion in 66kg freestyle — does not have the air one normally associates with a star sportsperson. Rather, one is bowled over by his humility and warm personality.

In an interview with Samikshan Dutta Choudhury of Indian Sports News, he speaks about Olympics Qualifiers, preparation and more. Excerpts:

ISN: You have a qualification event coming up in March 2012. How much do fancy your chances of qualifying for the event?

Sushil: Well I am looking forward to it and I am very sure of qualifying for the Olympics at the Asian Wrestling Championship event to be held in Kazakhstan in March. And even if I fail to book a berth to London in Kazakhstan, I would still have a chance to qualify in the mega event in competitions to be held in China and Finland in April and May, respectively. But then I am confident of qualifying in the first event itself.

ISN: How is the preparation going on for the Qualifying draw?

Sushil: I am going through an extensive training programme and would really put my best foot forward to qualify for the event and would be going to Colorado Springs to attend a month-long camp there. Even my fitness is good. So overall the preparation is good.

ISN: Do you feel the pressure, considering the fact that the whole nation would be banking on you?

Sushil: Well more than pressure, it acts as a motivational factor to me. And when I enter a bout, nothing seems to distract my mind and all I think of is performing well.

ISN: What is your say about the Indian Grand Prix wrestling that is going to happen just before the Olympics?

Sushil: It is a wonderful event and would seriously give a lot of exposure to the wrestlers. It would give us a lot of practice for the Olympics and help us prepare better. I am really looking forward to it.

ISN: There has been a long debate going Dhyanchand and Sachin tendulkar as to who should get Bharat Ratna. Who do you think should be awarded the award?

Sushil: See I would not say anything on that because I do not think that it would right for me to comment on that. All I would say whoever has made India proud should be given the award, be it Sachin or Dhyanchand. Both of them have done a lot in their respective fields and it for the authorities to decide.

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