Why Sushil Kumar says: ‘Aap nahin samjhoge’

While the sporting community and fans are divided about the gold medal that wrestler Sushil Kumar won at the National Wrestling Championship on November 17, the man himself is pretty clear.

Speaking to ETPanache over the phone, the 34-yearold says, “With me, there always seems to be a controversy. What could I do if my opponents refused to fight? I was ready to defeat them like I had done the two who stepped on the mat against me in the first two rounds. The three who gave me a walkover practised with me; they were my juniors. Them not fighting against me shows how much they love me and respect me.”

In the quarter-finals, semifinals and finals of the 74 kg weight category, Kumar was given a walkover by Praveen of Haryana, Sachin Rathi of Uttar Pradesh and Praveen Rana of Railways respectively. The trio touched the Olympic medallist’s feet on the mat. Kumar fought under three minutes for the gold medal win. ‘No point wasting energy.’


Praveen Rana of railways.

If he was in their place, the freestyle wrestler says he would do the same. “We have a tradition in the akhadas of respecting seniors and they kept that alive. When you know you will not win, no point wasting energy. I was in my zone and would have won the matches within minutes. They made a good decision by opting to give me a walkover as they escaped injury. They have earned more respect,” Kumar says.

On whether these traditions have a place in modern sport, Kumar says, “Aap nahi samjhoge (you will not understand). These are traditions which have to be kept sacred. Seniors are like our teachers; it is almost like honouring your guru. We work very closely in our akhadas for years and develop a brotherly feeling, almost like family.”