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Champion grappler Sushil Kumar a
lso put it on the wrestling map of the world after bagging the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 2010 Commonwealth Games is his next target. Sushil Kumar, in conversation with Spriha Srivastava, discusses the challenges'
You have experienced the international wrestling scene first hand; where do you think India lacks in producing medal winners?
Very few people actually go ahead and dream of winning medals at the level of Olympics. It's beyond imagination for many. I won a medal in wrestling after about decades! People have started to think about medals and are competing in international level tournaments now. Recently at the Asian Wrestling Championship in Delhi, I broke a world record. Such accomplishments give me the confidence to play and win. And I'm sure this also gives others the confidence to represent India at the international level.
Do you see youngsters developing an interest in wrestling?
Oh yes, of course. Now I see so many parents encouraging their kids to participate in wrestling and follow the sport if they're passionate about it. Even kids of fifth standard come to the akhada to practice wrestling. This shows that there are a lot of kids who like this sport and are now being encouraged to pursue it.
Your dad was also a wrestler. What professional tips did he share with you?
My dad was a wrestler in our village and pursued the sport passionately. He used to practice regularly. My brother and guru, Padma Shri award winner Satpal ji, practiced hard too. It was after watching him that I became more interested in the sport. I would spend hours at the akhada trying to learn wrestling. I still live at the akhada. I visit home once in about 5-6 months. I simply love the atmosphere of the akhada, and practicing wrestling throughout the day.
How important is mental strength in wrestling? Do aggressive people fare better?
It's not that aggressive people have an advantage in wrestling. Many people think that way, but it's a wrong notion. Wrestling is all about techniques and has a lot of them. More than aggression, one has to be very clear on the techniques and very calm and smart to use them. If the opposition attacks you, then you can't show aggression but smartly use your techniques to overpower him. Mental stability and calmness is extremely important for this sport. There are situations where aggression is required, but then aggression alone does not work. Techniques are required to excel in this sport. Grappling the odds A player's diet is as important as the training. We have physiotherapists and dieticians who take care of us. I play for 66 kgs and so I have to keep my weight around that much. Diet plays an important role here.
According to you, who is the toughest contender in the upcoming Commonwealth Games?
Every competition requires a lot of focus to get the better of other contenders. But if you ask about the toughest ones, then I'd name Canada, England and Australia. These countries have strong and world class players.
Do you see any difference in the training of players of the countries you've mentioned as compared to your training regimen?
We have a Georgian coach right now, so I'd say that our training is of the same standard as that of other countries. The training schedule that we have is very similar to what others have. All that differs from player to player is the use of technique: how well a player can grasp the technique and how well can he use it to his advantage.
You won gold medals in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship, but not in the Olympics. Is competition tougher in Olympics?
I'd say that I don't lack a lot of qualities when it comes to comparing me with other good international players. One's mental state and those little errors that one might make on the day notwithstanding, a lot also depends on one's luck. For example, it was my fault too that I could not defend myself within 15 seconds and that's why I ended up winning a bronze medal (at the Beijing Olympics). A lot depends on how the day turns out for you ' if that day favours you, you win, otherwise not!
How much does failure affect you?
Oh, not at all. Winning and losing are a part of the game; one should focus on competing and winning. And if that doesn't happen, then one should not get depressed. Practice well for next time!
Do you think the sport of wrestling could do with some more promotion in India?
If this sport is promoted well, I'm sure we would win dozens of gold medals at the Olympics. It's unimaginable how much talent we have when it comes to wrestling. If we have more facilities, we would be the champions.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Best Colleges for Vocational Courses in IndiaChampion grappler Sushil Kumar a
lso put it on the wrestling map of the world after bagging the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 2010 Commonwealth Games is his next target. Sushil Kumar, in conversation with Spriha Srivastava, discusses the challenges' You have experienced the international wrestling scene first hand; where do you think India lacks in producing medal winners?
Very few people actually go ahead and dream of winning medals at the level of Olympics. It's beyond imagination for many. I won a medal in wrestling after about decades! People have started to think about medals and are competing in international level tournaments now. Recently at the Asian Wrestling Championship in Delhi, I broke a world record. Such accomplishments give me the confidence to play and win. And I'm sure this also gives others the confidence to represent India at the international level.
Do you see youngsters developing an interest in wrestling?
Oh yes, of course. Now I see so many parents encouraging their kids to participate in wrestling and follow the sport if they're passionate about it. Even kids of fifth standard come to the akhada to practice wrestling. This shows that there are a lot of kids who like this sport and are now being encouraged to pursue it.
Your dad was also a wrestler. What professional tips did he share with you?
My dad was a wrestler in our village and pursued the sport passionately. He used to practice regularly. My brother and guru, Padma Shri award winner Satpal ji, practiced hard too. It was after watching him that I became more interested in the sport. I would spend hours at the akhada trying to learn wrestling. I still live at the akhada. I visit home once in about 5-6 months. I simply love the atmosphere of the akhada, and practicing wrestling throughout the day.
How important is mental strength in wrestling? Do aggressive people fare better?
It's not that aggressive people have an advantage in wrestling. Many people think that way, but it's a wrong notion. Wrestling is all about techniques and has a lot of them. More than aggression, one has to be very clear on the techniques and very calm and smart to use them. If the opposition attacks you, then you can't show aggression but smartly use your techniques to overpower him. Mental stability and calmness is extremely important for this sport. There are situations where aggression is required, but then aggression alone does not work. Techniques are required to excel in this sport. Grappling the odds A player's diet is as important as the training. We have physiotherapists and dieticians who take care of us. I play for 66 kgs and so I have to keep my weight around that much. Diet plays an important role here.
According to you, who is the toughest contender in the upcoming Commonwealth Games?
Every competition requires a lot of focus to get the better of other contenders. But if you ask about the toughest ones, then I'd name Canada, England and Australia. These countries have strong and world class players.
Do you see any difference in the training of players of the countries you've mentioned as compared to your training regimen?
We have a Georgian coach right now, so I'd say that our training is of the same standard as that of other countries. The training schedule that we have is very similar to what others have. All that differs from player to player is the use of technique: how well a player can grasp the technique and how well can he use it to his advantage.
You won gold medals in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship, but not in the Olympics. Is competition tougher in Olympics?
I'd say that I don't lack a lot of qualities when it comes to comparing me with other good international players. One's mental state and those little errors that one might make on the day notwithstanding, a lot also depends on one's luck. For example, it was my fault too that I could not defend myself within 15 seconds and that's why I ended up winning a bronze medal (at the Beijing Olympics). A lot depends on how the day turns out for you ' if that day favours you, you win, otherwise not!
How much does failure affect you?
Oh, not at all. Winning and losing are a part of the game; one should focus on competing and winning. And if that doesn't happen, then one should not get depressed. Practice well for next time!
Do you think the sport of wrestling could do with some more promotion in India?
If this sport is promoted well, I'm sure we would win dozens of gold medals at the Olympics. It's unimaginable how much talent we have when it comes to wrestling. If we have more facilities, we would be the champions.
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