Latest revision as of 18:11, 31 May 2021

VICTORY LAP: After cornering glory at the 2010 C’wealth Games

[edit] Sushil Kumar, the person

IN BEIJING, he HAD RESIGNED TO LIFE OF WRESTLING IN DANGALS

TEAM TOI

Rohan Puri The Times of India 2013/08/23

On the transition from the mud akhadas to the modern mats for Indian wrestlers

Sushil Kumar says: Base humara mitti mein hi tikta hain. (Our basics take shape from wrestling in the mud). The facilities have improved in our village (Baprola) especially after Beijing Olympics in 2008. Now, even the small centres have mats. But we still train in mud once a week. The main difference is that your speed is reduced when wrestling in mud.

[Olympian Rajiv Tomar (Beijing, 120kg) ] has been our Bhaarat Kesri for ten years now. He’s the real champion of mud wrestling.

Rajiv Tomar adds: You need more speed on the mats. In mud, you wrestle for 25-30 minutes while the same is over in two minutes on the mat when you have to take the point. The smaller the bout, the faster it is.

[edit] Achievements

Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India

Awards: Padma Shri (2011), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2008) and Arjuna award (2005)

Medals: Silver (66kg): 2012 London Olympics; Bronze (66kg): 2008 Beijing Olympics; Gold (66kg): World Championships Moscow; Bronze (66kg): Asian Games Doha; Gold (66kg, 74kg): Commonwealth Games 2010 (Delhi), Glasgow (2014), Gold Coast (2018)

[edit] Controversies

Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India

In 2016, Sushil was accused of spiking fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav’s food at the SAI’s Sonepat centre ahead of the Rio Olympics.

In 2017, his appointment as national observer had led to allegations of conflict of interest, being an active wrestler himself.

In 2018, during the CWG selection trials in Delhi, Sushil was accused of instigating his supporters to beat fellow wrestler Praveen Rana and his brother Naveen after the bout for indulging in rough wrestling. An FIR was registered against Sushil at the IP Estate police station.

In 2019, Sushil was accused of deliberately hitting wrestler Jitendra in his eye during the final trial bout for the 2019 World Championships. Jitendra lost the bout and Sushil went to Nur-Sultan.

In 2021, Sushil has been arrested in connection with former junior national champion Sagar Dhankar’s murder case and sent to six-day police custody.

[edit] 2008

[edit] Beijing Olympics 2008

After he lost his match in the 2008 Olympics

The top five or six wrestlers in his category (66kg, freestyle) were almost head to head. So (after the defeat), he took off his shoes and told his team, “Ki bas. Ab toh dangalon ki tayyari karenge (It’s all over, let's start preparing for the dangals back home).”

Then the second chance came with the repechage. His coach and guruji came over and told him, ‘Another chance has come your way. Give it all you’ve got. he gave it his best and the result was good.

His daily training regime in times when there is no tournament

The training remains the same. he had a shoulder injury which was troubling him for the past year. It was during the Olympics and even during the qualifiers prior to that. When he resumed training after London, he aggravated it. Everyone decided it's best to give it some rest as there was no major tournament in the period. His left shoulder had gotten thinner than the right. It was a funny sight. It's fine now am back to full time training.

He is a vegetarian and that makes his diet different from other top wrestlers in the world.

he says that he is rough and tough. he eats what he is given. This prepares him for different situations.

Rajiv Tomar points out that there was no daal-roti in Beijing, so the Indian wrestlers used to have pizza almost every day. Pizza khaake medal jeeta hain (We won a medal after a diet of pizza).

[edit] 2010

[edit] Moscow 2010: a few millions to lose the finals

I was offered cash to throw world meet final: Sushil

Ritu Sejwal TNN The Times of India 2013/08/23

Double Olympic wrestling medallist and former world champion Sushil Kumar told The Times of India that he was approached to throw the championship bout at the 2010 world meet in Moscow.

As Sushil prepared for his final against Russian Alan Gogaev, a member of his entourage came up to him and said, “Sushil, kushti ke liye keh rahe hai (They want to talk about the bout).”

Recalled Sushil. “The money offered was a few crores. For a wrestler, it was really good money. The offer was communicated to one of our foreign coaches. The event was taking place in Russia and my final opponent was a Russian. It’s our country so our player should win — that’s what they seemed to want.”

Sushil promptly demolished Gogaev 3-1 . “It was not a matter of two-four crores. Hamari bhi izzat ki baat thi (it was a matter of honour).”

Sushil went on to win India's only world championship wrestling gold medal.

Sushil recalled how he was humbled by the reception he received from the crowd after the final win in Moscow. “As I climbed down from the mat, I looked up and remembered noticing that there was no one sitting. Everyone in the stadium was giving me a standing ovation. It was most humbling,” said Sushil during a free-wheeling chat.

Among his supporters cheering him on was Jabrail Hasanov, his semifinal opponent from Azerbaijan whom Sushil had beaten 4-3. “I have participated in four or five world championships, but the support I received in Moscow in 2010 was commendable. To beat a home wrestler in a country with a strong wrestling base is not an easy task,” Sushil recalled.

[edit] 2012

[edit] London Olympics 2012

On the difference between Beijing and London Olympics

Sushil feels that ‘It was a difference of silver and bronze, nothing more. During London the federation helped the Indian wrestlers a lot. They provided him with whatever he wanted. They just said we will give you whatever you want, but you have to win a medal for the nation. It wasn’t so in Beijing.

The coach Raj Singh, Vinodji, his younger brother Amarjeet was there, and his physio too. the Indian wrestlers had trained in the US so they helped the team a lot in London. The American wrestler was ousted in the opening round, so they left Sushil and began helping him out, backing him to get fit, to get him a medal.

They gave him a lot of advice, checked his movements.

Does he have sleepless nights over an important bout the next day

Sushil feels that This happens when your performance is down. But in London, his performance was at its peak. The Indian wrestlers had trained at Colorado Springs for 15 days and then participated in a tournament over there. He defeated everyone without conceding a single point. Everyone said that he was sure to win an Olympic gold.

On money

In the dangals, on mud, he earns around Rs 5, 6 lakh per bout. As he grew, his coach kept him away from mud and trained him on the mat since you can win medals only through that. Those who succeed on the mat, stay on the mat.

Of traditional wrestling matches

Sushil points out that at a traditional wrestling centre like Belgaum even today, you will see a crowd each day. You won’t get tickets to watch even. But in the North, there is hardly any publicity. People don’t know from where to buy the tickets or if they are available, however the entry is usually free. During the Commonwealth games, the stadiums were full.

He adds: These days, in the rural areas even women can tell when there is a point or if there is a foul. Even the Dangals today have the points system to determine winners. They have realised that point system pey result pukka niklega.

The Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup benefits the players, they earn money.

Other sports

Sushil follows and play football.

[edit] 2018

[edit] As in July 2018

August 18, 2018: The Times of India

Biswajyoti Brahma, Sushil eyes elusive Asiad gold but it won’t be easy, August 19, 2018: The Times of India

The twotime Olympic medallist is returning to the Asiad after skipping the last two editions in 2010 and 2014. The only time he participated in Asiad, he ended up winning a bronze in Doha (2006). At 35, Sushil showed glimpses of his pace and skills winning gold at the Gold Coast CWG. However, his build-up to the Asiad was marred by a 4-8 defeat to a Polish grappler, Andrzej Piotr Sokalski, at the Tbilisi Grand Prix last month. Sushil has been training in Georgia for the Asiad

At the age of 35, Sushil Kumar has the world under his feet. One of India’s most successful sportspersons at the Olympics, the wrestler has won most top medals he would have aspired for — two Olympic medals, including a silver, a World Championship gold, three Commowealth Games gold and several others stand testimony to his brilliance on the mat.

In Incheon four years back, Yogeshwar Dutt had won India’s lone gold. India also claimed a silver and three bronze.

[edit] 2021

[edit] May: Murderous brawl

May 8, 2021: The Times of India

Footage recovered from the phone of arrested accused Prince Dalal showed Olympic medallist and wrestler Sushil Kumar (in pic) allegedly thrashing people during a brawl at Chhatrasal Stadium, a probe has revealed, reports Sakshi Chand. Police said they have sought help from the forensic team to enlarge the faces seen in the video to establish the identity of more people. The brawl led to the death of a 23-year-old international wrestler, Sagar Dhankad, who was earlier residing at a flat owned by Kumar.

[edit] …and troubles with the underworld

Rajshekhar Jha, May 24, 2021: The Times of India

International wrestler Sushil Kumar was not only trying to escape from Delhi Police for the past 18 days, but also from Sandeep alias Kala Jathedi, one of the most wanted gangsters of north India who is currently believed to be in Dubai. Jathedi had recently orchestrated the shootout at GTB Hospital to free his associate, Kuldeep Fajja, who was later killed by the Special Cell in an encounter.

Kumar knew that using an electronic device would do him in, but he didn’t seem very worried about police. Using a dongle for internet on his phone despite being cautioned by his well-wishers, he had been trying to contact Jathedi to forgive him, said a source. Even after his arrest by a Special Cell team led by inspector Shiv Kumar on Sunday, Kumar had no regrets about Sagar Dhankad’s murder. He just wanted police to save him from Jathedi’s men in jail, suggesting he had failed to strike a truce in the last two weeks.

But why is the Jathedi gang after the decorated wrestler? When Kumar had assaulted Dhankar, he had also thrashed another man named Sonu. With 19 cases of murder, extortion and robbery lodged against him, Sonu is Jathedi’s nephew, who treats him like his son. After the incident, there was more outrage about the assault on Sonu.

Jathedi had been indulging in large-scale grabbing of disputed properties in Delhi through Sonu and others, police said. Kumar had allegedly joined hands with Jathedi and landed a flat in M2-Block of northwest Delhi’s Model Town, which was at the centre of the controversy. This flat was being used to shelter criminals belonging to the Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi gang and many crime plots were hatched there. The alliance was aiming at having complete control of toll tax booths in Delhi, UP and Haryana.

“According to the initial arrangement, the proceeds from the sale of the property were to be divided equally between Kumar and Jathedi. However, in the last few months, Kumar’s proximity with rival gangs, including henchmen of jailed gangsters Neeraj Bawana and Naveen Bali, had increased, which created distrust between the wrestler and Jathedi’s gang,” explained an officer.

[edit] 2021: Olympic legend, murder accused

Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India

Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India

Sushil Kumar’s wikipedia page, which profiles the celebrated wrestler’s awe-inspiring journey from south west Delhi’s Baprola village to his incredible podium finishes in the Olympics, Asiad, CWG and World Championships, has a recent update. An update which no sports lover in the country, even ‘pehelwan’ Sushil himself, would have thought they would ever see. It reads: “On 23 May 2021, he (read Sushil) was arrested over alleged involvement in the murder of a 23-year-old fellow wrestler Sagar Dhankar in Delhi.”

Those who knew him personally would often say that the diminutive grappler from a humble family background was an affable person – an obedient son and a caring brother, a loving husband and a doting father, and a faithful friend who would, in some cases, go out of his away to help his loyalists.

But a few others who knew about Sushil’s alleged dubious business dealings would beg to differ. They feared this day for long and Sushil’s brush with the law hasn’t surprised them. A former national wrestling coach, who has worked closely with Sushil since his Beijing Olympics days and played a key role during his return to competition in December 2017 after a hiatus of three years, said: “For general public and to the parents of budding wrestlers and trainees of other sports disciplines, Chhatrasal stadium has always been considered a sanctum sanctorum of sports activities.

“Aspiring athletes looked at the stadium as a revered sports institution. However, there is an ugly side to Chhatrasal as well, where unwanted guests, none of them sportspersons, would frequent the premises to meet Sushil and his close associates to discuss his off-field business activities. Only people belonging to Sushil’s inner circle were part of those discussions,” said the coach, requesting anonymity.

It’s been alleged that Sushil has business interest in toll plaza collections in outer Delhi and adjacent Haryana and Uttar Pradesh borders, apart from running Ayurveda stores of a leading Indian FMCG brand in the north and north-west Delhi. Then his associates are into real estate, recovery of bad debts and property evacuations. Wrestling dropouts, who failed to make any impact in the sport, would allegedly be employed to man these toll plazas. Delhi Police’s crime branch has now been linking Sushil and his associates to jailed dreaded gangster Neeraj Bawana and his enmity with fugitive Kala Jathedi has become the talk of the town. Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India

Golden phase of his sporting career

Sushil's life wasn't this complicated, at least till 2014 Glasgow CWG where he had secured his illustrious career's second CWG gold - the first being at the 2010 Delhi edition and the third at the 2018 Gold Coast Games. Right from finishing at the top of the podium in the World Cadet Games in 1998, Sushil was always meant for big things in wrestling. Sushil was 14 when he enrolled himself at the Chhatrasal stadium. He trained under the guidance of former wrestler and 1982 Delhi Asiad gold medallist, Mahabali Satpal, who later became Sushil's father-in-law.

Sushil steadily climbed up the success ladder, winning medals at the Commonwealth and Asian championships between 2003 and 2008. By the time Doha Asian Games came in 2006, where he secured a bronze in the freestyle 66kg, Sushil had established himself as one of the country's leading wrestlers.

However, his breakthrough moment came in Beijing Games in 2008 when he clinched the historic bronze, becoming the first Indian grappler in 56 years to win an individual medal in wrestling after legendary K D Jadhav's bronze at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. The incredible gold medal-finish at the 2010 World Championships in Moscow placed him on a pedestal none in the country's wrestling had ever occupied.

Two years later, at the London Games, Sushil did one better than Beijing, winning the silver medal - despite suffering from a stomach bug - to become the only Indian to win two individual Olympic medals. He undoubtedly became the quintessential poster boy of Indian sports. He inspired a generation of wrestlers to take up the sport. Three of India's Tokyo Olympics-bound wrestlers - Ravi Dahiya, Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia - are all Chhatrasal alumni.

Sushil's international success brought him crores in government's cash awards and big-ticket sponsorship deals. He was appointed as the administrative officer of the Northern Railway Sports Association in 2013 (on Tuesday, his employer Railways suspended him for his alleged involvement in Dhankad's murder case) and was later posted on deputation in the Delhi government's education department as the OSD (Officer on Special Duty) at the Chhatrasal.

Sushil undoubtedly became the quintessential poster boy of Indian sports after winning bronze in 2008 Beijing Games and silver in London Games. He inspired a generation of wrestlers to take up the sport. Three of India’s Tokyo Olympics-bound wrestlers – Ravi Dahiya, Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia – are all Chhatrasal alumni.

This is when Sushil’s priorities began to change. He ventured into businesses not entirely labelled clean and turned the stadium into his little kingdom, where he would train with his sparring partners under Georgian coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili. At the same time, he would carry out his business dealings through his trusted lieutenants.

After the gold at the Glasgow CWG, Sushil became choosy about tournaments which resulted in him giving the Incheon Asiad a miss. Sushil and Narsingh Yadav’s ugly faceoff for a place in the Indian contingent for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the following dope controversy, had embarrassingly played out on every national TV channel. It split the country’s closely-knit wrestling community for life.

Sushil found himself involved in yet another unsavoury controversy when fellow wrestler Praveen Rana accused Sushil of instigating his supporters to beat him up and his elder brother Naveen during the selection trials for the Gold Coast CWG at the IGI stadium here. Sushil was booked for assault and criminal intimidation and an FIR was registered against him. Time will tell how sports fans remember their hero – a celebrated sportsperson or a jailed criminal. Sabi Hussain, May 26, 2021: The Times of India