His stature as a wrestler is unquestioned, while his behaviour as a soft-spoken athlete is something to be revered. Sushil Kumar, humility personified, breathed life into the sport by winning the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and kept it in the limelight by winning a string of events, including gold at the World Championships just before the Commonwealth Games.
Despite his success at the international level, Sushil – the former World, Asian and Commonwealth champion in the 66kg freestyle category – does not have the air one normally associates with a star sportsperson. Instead, one is bowled over by his humility and warm personality.
In an interview with Samikshan Dutta Choudhury of Indian Sports News, he speaks about the Olympic qualifiers, his preparation and more. Excerpts:
ISN: You have a qualification event coming up in March 2012. How do you rate your chances of qualifying?
Sushil: Well, I am looking forward to it and I am very sure of qualifying for the Olympics at the Asian Wrestling Championship, to be held in Kazakhstan in March. And even if I fail to book a berth for London in Kazakhstan, I will still have a chance to qualify at competitions to be held in China and Finland in April and May respectively. But I am confident of qualifying at the first event itself.
ISN: How are your preparations going for the qualifiers?
Sushil: I am going through an extensive training programme and will really put my best foot forward to qualify. I will be going to Colorado Springs for a month-long camp. My fitness is good too. So overall, the preparation is good.
ISN: Do you feel the pressure, considering that the whole nation will be banking on you?
Sushil: Well, more than pressure, it acts as motivation for me. When I enter a bout, nothing distracts my mind and all I think of is performing well.
ISN: What do you make of the Indian Grand Prix wrestling event that is to take place just before the Olympics?
Sushil: It is a wonderful event and will give the wrestlers a lot of exposure. It will give us plenty of practice for the Olympics and help us prepare better. I am really looking forward to it.
ISN: There has been a long debate over whether Dhyan Chand or Sachin Tendulkar should get the Bharat Ratna. Who do you think should receive the award?
Sushil: I would not say anything on that, because I do not think it would be right for me to comment. All I would say is that whoever has made India proud should be given the award, be it Sachin or Dhyan Chand. Both of them have done a lot in their respective fields and it is for the authorities to decide.
