Asian Games 2018 | Proving yourself is not sportsmanship, claims Sushil Kumar

Asian Games 2018 | Proving yourself is not sportsmanship, claims Sushil Kumar

no photo

Sushil Kumar seems to be in high spirits ahead of his outing at the Asian Games but reminds people that he is not interested in proving a point to anyone but rather giving his all on the mat. Sushil said that he avoids going to cinema halls and practices celibacy as part of his training routine.

Sushil Kumar proved his doubters wrong at this year’s 2018 Gold Coast CWG where he won gold in the 74 kg category. But there have been constant concerns over his form and the tussle with compatriot Parveen Rana that had led to doubts over his involvement in the Asian Games at Indonesia this month. But the WFI have opted to go with Sushil and he will be in Jakarta vying for his first gold at the competition.

Sushil, who previously won bronze at the Asian Games in 2006 at Doha, was adamant that he did not compete to prove something to his doubters but rather to win accolades for his nation. 

“There will be defeats and victories in sportsman’s life. Real athlete is the one who stands up after defeat, prepares harder and comes back. Real athlete is one who takes the mat after winning also. I am trying to do the same,” Sushil told PTI in an exclusive chat after a training session.

“I have prepared well for the Asian Games but I am not out there to prove anything. Proving yourself is not sportsmanship,” Sushil, who will compete in the 74kg category in Jakarta,” Sushil told PTI sources.

The 35-year old lost his first bout in four years last year at the Tbilisi Grand Prix in Georgia last month. But he insisted that his preparations for the Asian showpiece were on track and he has been celibate for three months prior to the Games, as he always was before any major tournament.

“I am still following that. I don’t go to cinema halls. It’s ‘tapasya’ which I have been doing for years. I have not let my focus waver. I have to do what I have to do. I don’t have time also. That’s how I have trained all these years. I fix a period for myself and then follow it,” Kumar added.

The Olympic bronze medalist credited his disciplined training habits to his guru Mahabali Satpal, whom he continued to follow. Kumar added that despite the lure of fancy foreign coaches, he preferred to remain under the tutelage of his guru.

“My base was prepared in India under my Guruji. I am still following him. I went there (Georgia) for exposure, to learn tactics. The moves are same everywhere, but the execution style is different. We learn different things when we train with different people.

“Computer helps a lot these days in making strategies. And we have to keep pace with the times. But that does not mean our coaches are not good. I have prepared well. I have learnt tactical things in Georgia,” he said.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all