India can better Canada’s medal tally in wrestling at CWG: Sushil Kumar

03/06/2018

Sushil Kumar is confident that Indian wrestlers can overhaul Canada’s medal tally in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He is not just focused on winning the gold medal, but also wants to help other CWG-bound wrestlers. He also gave a clear picture of his future and dismissed all the retirement talk.

India’s double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar feels that Indian wrestlers can do better than their Canadian counterparts and can beat their medal tally in wrestling. Sushil Kumar has himself won back-to-back gold medals in the last two Commonwealth Games (in 2010 and 2014) and he is confident of winning a third gold on the bounce in the upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Writing in today’s Times of India (TOI), the 34-year old freestyle wrestler brushed away all the retirement talk and stated that he was keen on proving the critics wrong.

“Every four years when Commonwealth Games comes along there is an air of expectations from Indian wrestlers and this year is no different. It really hurts to get injured before big tournaments, but I have taken it in my stride my absence from the just-ended Asian Championship. I know that I am in a combat sport and any minor injury needs to be attended to, but I am sure I will deliver gold medal at the next month’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. My preparations are on track and I am working to live up to the expectations,” he wrote.

Sushil was confident that India would improve on their 5 wrestling medals and can overhaul Canada’s medal tally in wrestling. India had won 5 gold medals in wrestling in Glasgow in 2014 while Canada had bagged 7.

“More than winning gold, I want India to top the wrestling medal tally and unseat Canada from the perch. I have been preparing well under the watchful eyes of Satpal and Vladimir Mestvirishvili. I like to be part of the national training not just to prepare myself but to share tips with the fellow CWG-bound wrestlers. Considering that the Asian Games in Jakarta are in August, we have to prepare in right earnest. I am sure there are tough contests in the offing, but I am hopeful that Indian wrestlers will do well,” the 34-year old Olympic bronze and silver medallist wrote.

The Haryana wrestler also dismissed all the retirement talk and stated that he intended to participate in this year’s Asian Games and Senior World Championship.

“A few doubt my medal-winning ability now, but when I won gold at the Commonwealth Championship in Johannesburg by beating New Zealand’s Aakash Khullar in my comeback tournament after Glasgow, I proved them wrong,” the two-time CWG gold medallist he reiterated.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in the Australian city of Gold Coast from April 4-15.