Sushil Kumar rubbishes claims of his retirement post Commonwealth Games

03/02/2018

While a lot of people have predicted Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar’s impending retirement after the Commonwealth Games, the wrestler has categorically denied the same. The 34-year-old added that he would be happy to pay for his own training and would not require any stipend from the authorities.

Sushil Kumar has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. From winning national events via walkovers to his infamous Parveen Rana bout for which an FIR was filed against him and his supporters, there hasn’t been anything too positive. There have now been rumours that he would call it a day after the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. They might have been received some more traction after Sushil’s main challengers for the 74kg category, Jitender and Praveen Rana, started their preparations for the Asian Games.

However, Sushil has rubbished all the rumours by stating that he would only make up his mind after the Asian Games.

“I am not going anywhere. All those who are talking about my impending retirement after the CWG, let me set the record straight. I will be appearing for the trials for the Asian Games and will also compete for a place in the squad for the Worlds. This year I will play both the events and then take a call on my future. I am ready to face Rana, Jitender or whoever comes my way,” Sushil said, reported ToI.

“My body is holding up well. I am fitter than ever before. I am recovering well from my knee injury (which forced him to miss the PWL and Asian Championships in Kyrgyzstan). I didn’t want to aggravate it keeping the CWG in mind. I will soon leave for a training stint in Georgia before flying straight to Gold Coast.”

Another development in the wrestling federation was that Sushil wasn’t recommended, under the Target Olympic Podium scheme, for receiving funding. He is also not eligible for the Rs 50,000 stipend that is offered on a monthly basis to elite athletes by the sports ministry. However, Sushil has no problems with the same as he said he would be happy to pay for his training.

“I will continue to pay for my training from my own pocket. I will go to Georgia on my own,” he concluded.